MPBL COACH OF THE YEAR NAKAUKIT KAY ATO BADOLATO

BILANG pagbibigay-pugay sa kontribusyon sa basketball, higit sa larangan ng coaching, ipinahayag ng Chooks-to-Go Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) na ipapangalan sa maalamat at pamosong coach na si Edmundo ‘Ato’ Badolato ang Coach of the Year award.

Ang ‘Ato Badolato Coach of the Year’ award ay ipagkakaloob sa head coach ng champion team sa kasalukuyang 2021 Chooks-to-Go MPBL Invitational Tournament na magtatapos sa Finals game sa Huwebes, December 23, alas-10 ng gabi sa SM Mall of Asia Arena.

Pumanaw kamakailan ang 74-anyos na si Badolato, dating national coach at itinuturing na pinakamatagumpay na junior coach sa bansa matapos pangasiwaan ang San Beda sa junior championship sa maraming pagkakataon.

Ayon kay Chooks-to-Go Sports and Marketing Director Mel Macasaquit, hindi siya mapapabilang sa mundo ng sports kung hindi kay Badolato.

“He instilled the passion to help sports and produce quality basketball in me during my time in San Beda,” pahayag ni Macasaquit, dating Red Cub at Red Lion.

“Coach Ato was the one who discovered me when I was playing for the under-13 team in a tournament in Las Vegas a couple of decades ago. Of course, I accepted his invitation to join San Beda, eventually playing for the Team B of the school,” aniya.

“We hope that through this award, the next generation of Filipino basketball players will get to know who coach Ato was.”

Bukod kay Macasaquit, maraming players at officials sa MPBL ang naging player ni Badolato.

Samantala, ipagkakaloob din ng liga ang Group Stage Individual Awards sa kalagitnaan ng semifinal match ng Pasig- Sta. Lucia at Basilan Jumbo Medical, Miyerkoles, alas-7:30 ng gabi at Nueva Ecija-Imus Buracai de Laiya sa alas-10 ng gabi. Igagawad sa mga matitikas na indibidwal ang Most Valuable Player, All-MPBL team, Defensive Player of the Tournament, at Sportsmanship Award.

Kabilang sa top three candidates para sa MVP sina Bicol-LCC’s Mac Tallo (17.5 points, 5.0 rebounds, 4.0 assists/game), Nueva Ecija’s Michael Mabulac (13.3 points, 10.3 rebounds, 2.5 assists), at Basilan-Jumbo Medical’s Michael Juico (19.0 points, 3.8 assists, 6.5 rebounds, 1.0 steals).

Kasama rin sa pinagpipilian sina Imus’ Adi Santos, Iloilo’s Chito Jaime, Mindoro-EOG Burlington’s Jeramer Cabanag, Pasig-Sta. Lucia’s Fran Yu, at San Juan-GFG AICC’s Jason Melano.

Nominado naman sa Defensive Player award sina Caloocan’s Mon Mabayo (8.5 defensive rebounds, 2.0 blocks/game), Pasig-Sta. Lucia’s Justin Arana (5.0 defensive rebounds, 1.8 blocks), at Marikina’s Ato Ular (10.5 defensive rebounds).

Ang parangal ay batay sa boto ng commissioner’s office, stats group, at miyembro ng media. EDWIN ROLLON