A FORMER pro and two Far Eastern University stars lead the tight race for the Most Valuable Player award in the PBA D-League Aspirants Cup.
Raymond Aguilar of the University of the Philippines-QRS/ Jam Liner and the Phoenix-FEU duo of Mike Tolomia and Mac Belo emerged as the statistical leaders after towing their teams to the top four at the end of the elimination round.
Aguilar, who suited up for Talk ’N Text in the PBA, led the race with 34.9 statistical points (SP) built on averages of 17.3 points, 11.8 rebounds and 2.0 assists.
Highlighting his run with a triple double, Tolomia landed second with 33.8 SPs after norming 15.3 points, 5.6 boards and 7.4 assists.
Tolomia recorded just the second triple-double performance in the league when he collected 28 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists in the Accelerators’ triumph over AMA University, 114-102, last Feb. 2.
Also a record-setter, Belo lay third with 33.4 SP hinged on a league-best 20.5 points on top of 5.0 rebounds and 1.4 assists.
Belo exploded for 41 points to set the league’s highest scoring production in a single game last Feb. 15, when the Accelerators bowed to Caida Tiles in a 108-91 decision.
Cafe France’s Carl Bryan Cruz checked in fourth with 30.9 SPs, while Caida Tiles’ Jiovani Jalalon rounded out the top five with 30.4 SPs.
The quarterfinal round begins on Thursday.