Going Digital: PBA to Hold Awards Night, Rookie Draft Virtually

The Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) is going digital for its events as mass gatherings aren't allowed yet due to the 2019 Novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) pandemic which has limited the 45th season of the league to just an all-Filipino bubble conference in Clark. While there have been talks that the PBA will open its 46th season in April, there have been questions with regards to how the league will hold the 2021 PBA Rookie Draft. 

In normal circumstances, there would have been an annual Leo Awards night where the league would recognize the top performers for the recently concluded season. The good news is: the league is hand awards to players who performed at the best during the bubble conference in Clark last year only in a different setting. Through a video conference. Although there would be no Most Valuable Player (MVP) for the PBA's 45th season, the league will recognize the Best Player of the Conference, Outstanding Rookie, Special Team, All-Defensive Team, Most Improved Player, and the winner of the Samboy Lim Sportsmanship Award. The Special Awards Night will happen on January 17, 2021.

This year's PBA Rookie Draft will also be held via video conference and for the first time in nine years, the draft won't take place at Robinson's Place Manila. The draft is set to take place on March 14, 2021.

Photo is from PBA