SCOTTIE Thompson of Barangay Ginebra added another feather to his cap by winning the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award for Season 46 of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA).

Thompson emerged as the top choice in a tight four-way battle with Mikey Williams of TNT, Calvin Abueva of Magnolia and Robert Bolick of NorthPort.

The 28-year-old Thompson became the first recipient of the coveted award after June Mar Fajardo of San Miguel Beer won it for a record six straight seasons.

The 6-1 playmaker of the league’s most popular team recorded 3222 statistical points and averaged 13.9 points, 9.0 rebounds, 5.4 assists and 1.2 steals in the two conferences of the 2021-2022 seasons.

He had most votes from players, media and PBA personnel for a total of 2,836.

Thompson, who was also named as the Best Player of the Conference and the Finals MVP of last season’s Governors’ Cup, was the fourth Ginebra player to win the award after Eric Menk (2005), Jayjay Helterbrand (2009) and Mark Caguioa (2012).

Williams placed second with 1,332 votes, followed by Bolick with 1,295 votes and Abueva with 1,066.

Williams, however, was named the Rookie of the Year.

Kevin Alas of NLEX earned the Samboy Lim Sportsmanship Award and Juami Tiongson of Terrafirma bagged the Most Improved Player Award.

The Mythical First team members are, Williams, Thompson, Fajardo, Abueva, and Arwind Santos of Northport.

In the second Mythical team are Magnolia’s Ian Sangalang, Ginebra’s Christian Standhardinger, Phoenix Super LPG’s Matthew Wright, San Miguel Beer’s CJ Perez and Bolick.

The All-Defensive team is composed of Cliff Hodge of Meralco, Santos,Williams, Jio Jalalon of Magnolia and Chris Ross.of San Miguel.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Robert Andaya