Lucky 13th for Miller
FRIDAY THE 13th proved lucky for Willie Miller.
The versatile guard celebrated his 30th birthday as he became the first player in the PBA standing below six feet to win a second Most Valuable Player plum as the league cited the season’s top individual performers in the 32nd Leo Prieto Awards last night at the Araneta Coliseum.
Miller, who stands 5-foot-10, bested a strong field that included two of the league’s rising stars with his impressive showing this season with the Alaska Aces.
The former Letran stalwart garnered a total of 2,671 points to beat Talk ’N Text guard Mark Cardona, the Fiesta Cup Best Player of the Conference and Air21’s Gary David.
Miller got 547 from statistical points and 2,124 vote points from the media (1005), players (218), TV broadcast carrier ABC5 (600) and the PBA Commissioner’s Office (300).
"Swerte lang talaga ako to win this award," said Miller.
However, the Olongapo native said that the award could have been more special if the league’s other best players played in the season-ending conference as they were pulled out to form the Philippine Team.
"Nataon na wala yung ibang superstars ng liga na naglalaro ngayon sa RP team. Parang kulang pa rin kasi wala nga ‘yung iba. Sana kung nandyan sila talagang magkaka-alaman," said Miller.
Still, Miller said that he’s happy to join an elite group of superstars to become a two-time MVP, thus joining a select list of players to win two or more.
Miller captured his first MVP award in 2002, a year after he was chosen by former team Red Bull as the No. 1 overall pick in the PBA Rookie Draft.
Alaska got him last year via a trade and he played a key role in the Aces’ return to the Finals of the Fiesta Cup against the Talk ’N Text Phone Pals.
"Masaya na din kasi ilan lang din naman ang nananalo ng MVP for a second time," he said.
He joined four-time MVP winners Ramon Fernandez and Alvin Patrimonio, three-time winner Bogs Adornado, as well as Alberto "Abet" Guidaben, Benjie Paras and Danny Ildefonso, who each won twice.
With two MVP trophies tucked under his belt, Miller said that he still hopes to join the RP team that will seek an Olympic spot this month in the FIBA-Asia Men’s Championship in Tokushima, Japan.
"Sana p’wede pa din mapasama after the PBA Finals," said Miller.
Miller and David were named the two guards in the First Mythical selection, with Sta. Lucia Realty rookie Kelly Williams and Jay Washington of Talk ’N Text as forwards and Dorian Peña of San Miguel Beer at center.
Williams had earlier been named the Rookie of the Year.Williams become only the second Sta. Lucia player since Jun Limpot in 1993 to win the trophy.
David also bagged the Most Improved Player and Sportsmanship awards, and was chosen to the All-Defensive Team with Santos, Arboleda, Nelbert Omolon of SLR and Harvey Carey of TNT.
Named to the Second Mythical team were Cardona and Wynne Arboleda and his rookie teammates Arwind Santos of Air21, Ildefonso of SMB and Yancy de Ocampo of TNT.
By WAYLON GALVEZ - Manila Bulletin
The versatile guard celebrated his 30th birthday as he became the first player in the PBA standing below six feet to win a second Most Valuable Player plum as the league cited the season’s top individual performers in the 32nd Leo Prieto Awards last night at the Araneta Coliseum.
Miller, who stands 5-foot-10, bested a strong field that included two of the league’s rising stars with his impressive showing this season with the Alaska Aces.
The former Letran stalwart garnered a total of 2,671 points to beat Talk ’N Text guard Mark Cardona, the Fiesta Cup Best Player of the Conference and Air21’s Gary David.
Miller got 547 from statistical points and 2,124 vote points from the media (1005), players (218), TV broadcast carrier ABC5 (600) and the PBA Commissioner’s Office (300).
"Swerte lang talaga ako to win this award," said Miller.
However, the Olongapo native said that the award could have been more special if the league’s other best players played in the season-ending conference as they were pulled out to form the Philippine Team.
"Nataon na wala yung ibang superstars ng liga na naglalaro ngayon sa RP team. Parang kulang pa rin kasi wala nga ‘yung iba. Sana kung nandyan sila talagang magkaka-alaman," said Miller.
Still, Miller said that he’s happy to join an elite group of superstars to become a two-time MVP, thus joining a select list of players to win two or more.
Miller captured his first MVP award in 2002, a year after he was chosen by former team Red Bull as the No. 1 overall pick in the PBA Rookie Draft.
Alaska got him last year via a trade and he played a key role in the Aces’ return to the Finals of the Fiesta Cup against the Talk ’N Text Phone Pals.
"Masaya na din kasi ilan lang din naman ang nananalo ng MVP for a second time," he said.
He joined four-time MVP winners Ramon Fernandez and Alvin Patrimonio, three-time winner Bogs Adornado, as well as Alberto "Abet" Guidaben, Benjie Paras and Danny Ildefonso, who each won twice.
With two MVP trophies tucked under his belt, Miller said that he still hopes to join the RP team that will seek an Olympic spot this month in the FIBA-Asia Men’s Championship in Tokushima, Japan.
"Sana p’wede pa din mapasama after the PBA Finals," said Miller.
Miller and David were named the two guards in the First Mythical selection, with Sta. Lucia Realty rookie Kelly Williams and Jay Washington of Talk ’N Text as forwards and Dorian Peña of San Miguel Beer at center.
Williams had earlier been named the Rookie of the Year.Williams become only the second Sta. Lucia player since Jun Limpot in 1993 to win the trophy.
David also bagged the Most Improved Player and Sportsmanship awards, and was chosen to the All-Defensive Team with Santos, Arboleda, Nelbert Omolon of SLR and Harvey Carey of TNT.
Named to the Second Mythical team were Cardona and Wynne Arboleda and his rookie teammates Arwind Santos of Air21, Ildefonso of SMB and Yancy de Ocampo of TNT.
By WAYLON GALVEZ - Manila Bulletin
Labels: basketball, miller, mvp, olongapo, pba
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