As the UAAP Season 87 Final Four nears, standout players like Kevin Quiambao, Forthsky Padrigao, and Mo Konateh dominated key statistical categories, while La Salle and UP led in team performance.
As the Final Four approaches in the UAAP Season 87 men’s and women’s basketball tournaments, the standout players who shaped the season with their impressive performances are now in the spotlight.
With thrilling battles ahead, let's take a closer look at the statistical leaders who made their mark during the elimination round and set the stage for the postseason.
Scoring
Kevin Quiambo of the De La Salle Green Archers leads all scorers in the UAAP with 233 points in 14 games played.
The Gilas Pilipinas forward amassed 81.357 statistical points (SPs) behind his league-best 16.64 points per game to go along with averages of 8.64 rebounds, 4.07 assists, and 1.0 steals.
With that, Quiambao is set to be crowned as back-to-back MVP, becoming the first local to achieve the feat since Kiefer Ravena in 2014 and 2015.
Runners-up:
- Nic Cabañero - UST Growling Tigers: 16.29 PPG
- Mo Tounkara - UST Growling Tigers: 13.85 PPG
Assists
Forthsky Padriago of the UST Growling Tigers was a cut above all the other point guards in the league after dishing out 85 total assists in Season 87.
The 5-foot-11 guard averaged a league-best 6.07 assists a night, helping the Growling Tigers get back into the Final Four.
Padrigao had the most assists in a single game in Season 87 with 11 against FEU on October 5.
Runners-up:
- JD Cagulangan - UP Fighting Maroons: 5.0 APG
- Joshua David - DLSU Green Archers: 4.21 APG
Rebounding
Mo Konateh of the FEU Tamaraws easily had the most total rebounds in Season 87 with 234.
The Mali center was all over the boards for the Tamaraws, amassing a league-high averages of 16.71 rebounds and 2.36 blocks to go with 10.21 points.
Konateh had set the single-game rebounding record in Season 87 with a dominant 14-point and 27-rebound performance during FEU’s loss over La Salle in Round 2.
Runners-up:
- Precious Momowei - UE Red Warriors: 13.77 RPG
- Mike Phillips - DLSU Green Archers: 11.57 RPG
Blocks
Konateh likewise topped the statistical category in blocks with 33 rejections in total.
The FEU big man averaged 2.36 blocks, being a force to be reckoned with inside the paint throughout Season 87.
Runners-up:
- Mudiaga Ojarikre - Adamson Soaring Falcons: 2.14 BPG
- Mike Phillips - DLSU Green Archers: 11.57 RPG
Steals
JD Cagulangan's presence for the UP Fighting Maroons was all over the floor, whether on offense or defense.
But the Fighting Maroons star was most crucial on the defensive end, averaging a league-best 1.75 steals.
Runners-up:
- Mike Phillips - DLSU Green Archers: 1.71 SPG
- Forthsky Padrigao – UST Growling Tigers: 1.5 SPG
Turnovers
UE’s Precious Momowei seemingly struggled to keep the ball throughout Season 87, averaging 4.38 turnovers.
The 6-foot-11 center from Nigeria fell short in helping the Red Warriors reach its first Final Four appearance since 2005.
Momowei is tied with Cagulangan for the most turnovers in a single game this Season 87 with nine during UE’s loss to Adamson on October 30.
Runners-up:
- Veejay Pre - FEU Tamaraws: 3.21 TO
- Cedric Manzano – Adamson Soaring Falcons: 3.0 TO
Team Statistics
La Salle led the league in scoring with an average of 74.21 points and posted the highest three-point shooting percentage at 30.27%.
The Green Archers also dominated the boards and assists, averaging 49.86 rebounds and 20.79 assists.
Meanwhile, Adamson recorded the fewest points per game with just 61.36, while UP boasted the league’s best field goal percentage, shooting 41.14% from the floor.
Ateneo had the lowest turnover rate, committing only 12.14 per game, but struggled offensively, ranking second-to-last in both points scored (62.14) and points allowed (69.79).
The Final Four begins on Saturday, November 30 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao.
[ALSO READ: UAAP: Completed Final Four sees possible Finals rematch in Season 87]