Oraeme focused on Mapua Final 4 run, not on MVP race

Allwell Oraeme heard the MVP chants from the Mapua faithfuls as he was heading to the line with the Cardinals on their way to a victory and a Final Four spot.

Oraeme, however, didn’t want to let those three letters get into his head, stressing that the team’s goal comes first before his individual success. “I just wanted to make the Final Four that’s the only thing on my mind and not the MVP,” said Oraeme after posting his 17th double-double of the season with 13 points and 28 rebounds. “Getting into the Final Four is more important to me than the MVP because if you have the MVP, what would it do for you? Nothing really. But getting to the Final Four is getting the respect for Mapua and for the team because last year we really did bad,” said the 19-year-old Nigerian center. Those chants of MVP are not just a spur of the moment with Oraeme most likely to become just the third Rookie-MVP of the league since Gabby Espinas and Sam Ekwe. “Hands down [he deserves to win MVP],” said his teammate Josan Nimes. “He barely rests during the game. He normally plays 38 to 40 minutes per game and he doesn’t complain. If I play that long I’ll probably cramp.” “We wouldn’t be here without him.” The 6-foot-9 Oraeme, who was four playing years left after this season, also had six assists and three blocks for good measure. “I’m really happy that we did it for Mapua. [This is] something that will go on and on for a long time because no one believed that we’ll be here.