Smart Sports, San Miguel Corp., Coca-Cola, and Pagcor back the PBA Press Corps (PBAPC) as it holds its 2009 Annual Awards starting at 7:30 p.m. Sunday at The Alegria of the Holiday Inn Manila Pavilion.

The affair, with veteran sportscasters Ed Picson and Patricia Bermudez-Hizon as emcees, will be highlighted by the crowning of the Coach of the Year and the Executive of the Year.

The PBAPC, the group of sportswriters regularly covering the PBA games, will also honor other achievers including the Defensive Player of the Year, Mr. Quality Minutes, Comeback Player of the Year, the All-Rookie Team and the Referee of the Year.

At stake for the Coach of the Year is the prestigious Virgilio "Baby" Dalupan Trophy. Elegant trophies by Angel Zamora and Sons will be given to the other awardees.

Smart Sports, San Miguel Corp., Coca-Cola and Pagcor are giant corporations which have been major supporters of Philippine sports.

Smart Sports bankrolls the Smart Gilas developmental team and the RP boxing squad among others, while San Miguel Corp. and Coca-Cola have taken their turns funding the RP basketball team.

Pagcor, under chairman Efraim Genuino, has its own sports programs aside from being a major funding arm of the Philippine Sports Commission.

These sports patrons back the press corps as it holds its annual bash where it also launches the 2009 edition of its annual magazine The Extra Period.

Legendary coach Baby Dalupan is expected to be on hand to personally award the Dalupan Trophy to the Coach of the Year. Tipped to win the award is Talk n Text coach Chot Reyes.