MANILA, Philippines – Kevin Quiambao, as many already know, is simply greatness personified in the UAAP.
For the first time in seven years, the Gilas Pilipinas prospect earned the lofty distinction of clinching the first back-to-back men’s basketball MVP citations since fellow Green Archers great Ben Mbala, following the release of the league’s statistical points (SPs) race, the sole basis for award voting in the league.
Quiambao finished with 81.357 SPs, a full seven points higher than star teammate Mike Phillips (74.929), who in turn clinched his second career Mythical Five selection and first since his rookie campaign in Season 84.
UP veteran guard JD Cagulangan landed third in the Mythical Team with 69.167 SPs, FEU rebounding machine Mo Konateh (68.643) rose to fourth, and UST star gunner Nic Cabanero (61.0) rounded out the top five.
UE star anchor Precious Momowei tallied 67.538 SPs, but was automatically knocked off the list due to a house rule that only one foreign student-athlete (FSA) may get Mythical Five honors. His second career suspension late in the season would have also disqualified him had he risen as the top FSA over Konateh.
Meanwhile, FEU star prospect Veejay Pre (50.857) parlayed his late-season surge to win the Season 87 Rookie of the Year honor above Ateneo’s Jared Bahay (47.0) and Tamaraws teammate Janrey Pasaol (45.143).
Ateneo’s Kacey Dela Rosa unchallenged as back-to-back MVP
Over at the women’s division, Ateneo star forward Kacey dela Rosa went virtually unopposed as she cruised to a second straight MVP award, tallying a monstrous 96.286 SP total — nearly 17 points above runner-up Kent Pastrana of UST (79.857).
Gilas Women prospect Louna Ozar made waves for UP as the third woman in the Mythical Five with 67.571 SPs, while Dela Rosa’s front-court partner Sarah Makanjuola rose as the top FSA at fourth (65.786).
Ateneo star guard Junize Calago (65.786) bowed out due to a suspension, allowing NU’s all-around threat Angel Surada (62.0) to take her place in the Mythical Team.
As if they needed more help, the dynastic Lady Bulldogs also found another gem in the youth ranks, as Cielo Pagdulagan (56.571) cracked the top 10 as the Season 87 Rookie of the Year.
Awarding of both tournaments will happen before Game 2 of their respective finals series. – Rappler.com