IN 1981, William ‘Bogs’ Adornado came back from a career-threatening
knee injury and won his third Philippine Basketball Association Most
Valuable Player award while playing for the U-Tex Wranglers.
On Sept. 29, the Philippine Basketball Association Press Corps fetes a
player who made an astounding comeback and created a huge impact with
his performance in the season just passed. The 2009-2010 Comeback
Player of the Year, presented by Phoenix Petroleum, will be awarded of
the William ‘Bogs’ Adornado Trophy in honor of the PBA’s multi-titled
player and Hall of Famer, who generously agreed to lend his fabled
name for the award.
The name of Adornado being mentioned in the same breath with the
Comeback Player of the Year award was a fitting tribute to the player
who became the first to win the PBA MVP award three times.
The Coach of the Year and the Executive of the Year awards were also
named after the two people who were responsible in shaping up his
illustrious playing career – ‘The Maestro’ Baby Dalupan and Danny
Floro, his coach and manager, respectively, from the fabled Crispa
Redmanizers.
“It’s such a big honor to have the Comeback Player Award named after
me,” said Adornado, who overcame open surgery and a long and painful
recuperation period to set history. “It’s nice to be remembered this
way.”
Adornado, who became the first player to score 2,000 points which he
recorded during the finals of the 1976 All-Filipino, suffered a knee
injury in the Open Conference of that same season and was sidelined
for nearly two years.
While on his way to recovery, the former member of the RP team in the
1973 ABC champion squad, played a pivotal role for the Redmanizers’
title-clinching win in Game 4 of the best-of-five finals over Toyota
in the 1979 All-Filipino.
He continued his remarkable comeback the following season, this time,
with the U-Tex Wranglers, whom he led to the 1980 Open Conference
crown over the Toyota Tamaraws. During the deciding game of the
series, Adornado was instrumental for the Wranglers, who fought back
from four points down in the final 16 seconds of regulation to force
overtime and won in a game regarded as one of the best ever played in
the annals of the PBA.
“Naming the Comeback Player Award after Bogs Adornado is very apt,”
said former PBA commissioner Sonny Barrios. “Bogs, after being
sidelined with what was thought as a career-ending knee injury, came
back with a bang by again winning an MVP award – his third!”
“The award is a very meaningful one as it recognizes PBA players
making the extra effort to elevate their standard of performance,”
said PBA chairman Rene Pardo of B-Meg Derby Ace. “It exemplifies the
well known Filipino trait of picking one’s self after being down, and
trying harder. No finer model for this award than Bogs Adornado.”
Last season, Mike Cortez, then playing for San Miguel Beer, was feted
of Comeback Player of the Year award after playing a stellar role in
the Beermen’s 4-3 victory over sister team Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings
in their best-of-seven series.
Cortez played a pivotal role in the Beermen’s gut-wrenching win over
the Gin Kings and emerged as second in the Finals MVP derby won by
teammate Jonas Villanueva.
Other past winners of the Comeback Player of the Year were Mike Hrabak
(2008), Gary David (2007), Danny Seigle (2006), Jayjay Helterbrand
(2004), Bong Ravena (2003), Ronnie Magsanoc (2002), Ato Agustin
(2000), Benjie Paras (1999), Glen Capacio (1998), Paul Alvarez (1997,
1993), Ritchie Ticzon (1996), and Yoyoy Villamin (1995).(pr)
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