November 23, 2024

It's official: Kevin Quiambao becomes first local UAAP MVP since 2015, Francis Lopez bags ROY

It
UAAP

Many pundits believed La Salle Green Archers main man Kevin Quiambao would become the MVP of the UAAP someday, somehow.

That time is now as Quiambao officially hoisted the MVP trophy of the UAAP Season 86 men’s basketball tournament on Sunday.

The do-it-all forward averaged 16.7 points, 10.9 rebounds, 6.0 assists, and 1.8 steals to garner 97.0 statistical points to become the first local since former Ateneo Blue Eagles star Kiefer Ravena did so in 2015.

Quiambao, who also recorded two triple-double performances this season, is also the first Green Archer season MVP since Ben Mbala received the honor back-t-back in 2016 and 2017.

During his speech, a smiling Quiambao made sure to make things short and sweet.

“Thank you, Lord, nakuha ko 'tong award. Credit sa lahat ng teammates ko, sa coaching staff, sa boosters. Hindi ko na po papatagalin pa. Maraming salamat po sa inyo. God bless po,” he said.

Quiambao, of course, headed the Mythical Five, where he was joined by teammate Evan Nelle, UE Red Warriors star Rey Remogat, FEU Tamaraws spitfire guard LJ Gonzales, and UP Fighting Maroons’ Malick Diouf.

Meanwhile, Francis Lopez of La Salle's finals protagonist, UP, emereged as the Rookie of the Year, disloding UE’s Precious Momowei, who was previously leading the ROY race before a controversial suspension disqualified him from winning the said award.

(MDB)

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