By Adrian Stewart Co

Three Negrense players were among the candidates for the Most Improved Player awards to be handed during the virtual Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) awards night on January 17.

These three are Bacolodnons Justin Chua of Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters and Reynel Hugnatan of Meralco Bolts and Bago City-native Raul Soyud of NLEX Road Warriors.

Chua had a career conference in the 2020 PBA Philippine Cup bubble as he averaged 13.18 points, 6.82 rebounds, 1.82 assists, 1.73 blocks and 0.45 steals for the Fuel Masters.

Hugnatan, on the other hand, had a resurgent season in the 2020 where he normed 12.00 points, 4.33 rebounds, 2.33 assists, 0.33 blocks and 0.44 steals in nine games for the Bolts.

Soyud, for his part, had a solid conference for the Road Warriors where he averaged 10 points, 6.82 rebounds, 1.09 assists, 0.09 blocks and 0.09 steals in 11 matches.

Other candidates for Most Improved Players are Chua’s teammate Jayson Perkins, Rain or Shine Elasto Painters’ Jayvee Mocon and Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings’ Prince Caperal.

Meanwhile, candidates for the 2020 PBA Philippine Cup Best Player are TNT Tropang Giga’s Bobby Ray Parks Jr. and Roger Pogoy, Fuel Masters’ Calvin Abueva and Matthew Wright, Terrafirma Dyip’s Jaymar Perez, and Kings’ Stanley Pringle.

Among the candidates for the Most Outstanding Rookie in PBA Bubble are Dyip’s Roosevelt Adams, Bolts’ Aaron Black, Magnolia Hotshots’ Aris Dionisio, Alaska Aces’ Barkley Ebona and Kings’ Arvin Tolentino.

Sportsmanship award candidates, on the other hand, are Abueva, Perez, Painters’ Gabe Norwood, Kings’ Earl Scottie Thompson and Road Warriors’ Kevin Alas.

The league was forced to hold annual awarding rites virtually this year due to COVID-19 pandemic. Also to be held virtually was the PBA Rookie Draft on March 14./ASC, WDJ