Before tonight's game 4, the PBA will have its annual awards (rechristened the Leo Awards in honor of former PBA commissioner Leo Prieto), where it'll announce selections for the season's Most Valuable Player, Rookie of the Year, and a host of other awards.

Unfortunately, the whole thing has turned into a political exercise, with the biggest culprit being the PBA Press Corps, who decided to vote as a block, leaving the door open to influence-peddling. Yep,this is the same bunch of people who keep writing fluff pieces about their buddies like Ryan “The Genius” Gregorio.

(I’m sorry, I couldn’t resist, I’m only human. Check out this money quote from the Purefoods coach in the latest piece: “Talent alone is not enough to win games. Players must know their roles on the team. Otherwise, we will not succeed.” Gee, you think so, doctor? Wait, isn’t this your job?)

But I digress. The MVP vote is still up in the air, although early indications are that Ginebra’s Jayjay Helterbrand might be the favorite. Although it pains me physically to type this, but Talk N Text’s douchebag guard Mac Cardona is the most deserving candidate for the award. It’s a shame that he’s turned into his generation’s Nelson Asaytono (the most despised player in the league), although Asaytono never won an All-Filipino championship as his team’s best player.

(UPDATE: The Philippine Star's Nelson Beltran expects Helterbrand to walk away with the award. Beltran is the president of the PBA Press Corps.)

Some other thoughts on the awards:

• I hope they don’t overlook the fact that Dondon Hontiveros had the best season of his career. Sure, he still only plays well about twice every three games, but he’s also the biggest reason why San Miguel was the only team to make it to the semifinals in both conferences this year. And while he was beat out by Cyrus Baguio in the Powerade Team Pilipinas lineup, he got Baguio back in a more important category: Valerie Concepcion’s heart.


• I’m surprised that Sonny Thoss is not in the shortlist of centers for the Mythical Team selection. Thoss was the biggest reason why Alaska was so dominant in the Philippine Cup before falling to Talk N Text in seven games, and his injury in the Fiesta Conference submarined the Aces’ campaign.


• Rain or Shine and Talk N Text both each had a pair of rookies play heavy minutes this season. Here’s an interesting question: if Gabe Norwood and Sol Mercado switched places with Jared Dillinger and Jason Castro, (a) would Rain or Shine have been as good?; and (b) would Talk N Text still have won the Philippine Cup?