Stephen Holt and Kier John ‘Bong’ Quinto will take the spotlight for the first time at the upcoming PBA Press Corps Awards Night, where they will be honored in separate categories during the 30th edition of the event at Novotel Manila Araneta City.
Holt, a standout sophomore from Barangay Ginebra, leads the prestigious All-Rookie Team, while Meralco guard Quinto will be recognized with the ‘Mr. Quality Minutes’ award, presented by the PBA Press Corps under the leadership of president Vladi Eduarte of the Abante Group of Publishing. The awards night, sponsored by Cignal TV, will take place on Sept. 24 at 7:30 p.m.
At 32, Holt, the unanimous Rookie of the Year for PBA Season 48, is joined on the All-Rookie Team by Cade Flores (Northport), Adrian Nocum (Rain or Shine), Ken Tuffin (Phoenix), and Kemark Cariño (Terrafirma). A 6-foot-4 Fil-Am and St. Mary’s College alum, Holt was the No. 1 overall pick for Terrafirma last season. His impressive performance led the team to its first playoff appearance in eight years during the Philippine Cup. Holt’s stellar season also earned him a spot on the Season’s Second Mythical Team and contention for the coveted MVP award.
Meanwhile, 29-year-old Quinto will receive his first ‘Mr. Quality Minutes’ award, the PBA Press Corps’ equivalent of the Sixth Man of the Year. The former Letran College point guard beat out last year’s winner, Jericho Cruz of San Miguel Beer, for the honor. The first recipient of this award was Barangay Ginebra deputy coach Olsen Racela in 1993.
Quinto averaged 10.1 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 2.5 assists in 26 minutes per game across 39 games last season. Drafted by Meralco in the second round of the 2018 PBA Draft, he played a pivotal role in leading the Bolts to their first-ever PBA championship, stunning the heavily favored San Miguel team in six games during the season-ending Philippine Cup.
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