MANILA, Philippines—A tight battle for the UAAP most valuable player plum is shaping up between the reigning leader and this season’s surprise performer.

University of Santo Tomas’ Jervy Cruz found a strong challenger in his campaign for back-to-back MVP crowns as Rabeh Al-Hussaini, Ateneo de Manila University’s much-improved slotman, finished a close second at the end of the 71st men’s basketball elimination round.

Cruz continued to rule the league both in scoring and rebounding after 14 games for a total of 75.07 statistical points (SP) highlighted by double-double averages of 19.8 markers and 13.7 rebounds.

UST coach Pido Jarencio still sees the 6-foot-4 Cruz—who’s been leading the league in rebounds for three straight seasons—as the league’s top player even after the Tigers missed out on the Final Four this year.

“I think he’s still the MVP of the UAAP; he’s a hard worker,” said Jarencio of his top gun.

Al-Hussaini came in as a close contender with 71.14 SP after norming 18 points per game—five more than his combined average of 13.1 markers in the last three seasons—9.6 boards and 1.3 assists.

“Winning the championship is more important for me; the individual award is just a bonus,” said Al-Hussaini, the 6-foot-6 senior center who powered the Blue Eagles to a league-best 13-1 record.

The statistical points comprise 50 percent of the final tally while the other half will be based on votes from the players and coaches (15 percent), referees and table officials (15) and media (20).

Ateneo top gunner Chris Tiu came in third with 62.14 SP hinged on 14.4 points, 6.1 rebounds and 3.6 assists, while rival De La Salle University’s veteran pair rounded out the top five performers.

Rico Maierhofer piled up 61.50 SP on averages of 13.1 points and 10.1 boards for fourth while teammate JV Casio led the Archers in scoring with 17 markers on top of 4.1 rebounds and 3.6 assists for a total 60.85 SP.

Other candidates based on the official statistics provided by Imperium Technology and Smart Bro were National University’s Edwin Asoro (53.42 SP), Ateneo’s Nonoy Baclao (50.71), UST’s Dylan Ababou (50.64), Far Eastern University’s Mark Barroca (49.85) and University of the East’s Marcy Arellano (47.71).