Top FEU guard leads UAAP MVP race

FAR EASTERN University coach Glenn Capacio takes pride in describing his topnotch ward RR Garcia as the league’s best guard.   Garcia is more than that as the 5-foot-10 guard emerged as the leading contender in the MVP race where two other Tamaraws are in the top five.   Garcia compiled a league-best 64.71 statistical points (SP) after powering the Tamaraws to a perfect 7-0 record at the end of the first round of the 73rd UAAP men’s basketball tournament.   “I’m very confident every time he’s on court,” said Capacio. “I think he’s the best guard in the league right now. He’s like a coach inside the court.”   The 5-foot-10 Garcia, a native of Zamboanga City, leads the league in scoring at 17.7 points to prop up his chances for the top individual plum rarely won by the guy who calls the shots.   Validating Garcia’s all-around efficiency are his averages of 3.7 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.3 steals.   “I just hope that I’ll be consistent in the next round,” said Garcia, a former RP Youth standout.   University of the East only had one win to show, but swingman Paul Lee still came in second with 60.28 SP built on averages of 17.3 points, 8 boards, 4 assists and 1.7 steals.   Lanky FEU center Aldrech Ramos occupied third with 58.42 SP by leading the league in blocks at 1.9 on top of 10.3 markers and 8.6 rebounds.   National U’s Cameroonian rookie Emmanuel Mbe was tops in rebounds at 12.4. He also normed 11.4 points and 1.1 blocks for a fourth-best 55.85.   Rounding out the top five was FEU big man Reil Cervantes, who had a 55 SP on averages of 11.9 markers, 6.1 boards and 2.3 assists.   Completing the top 10 were University of Santo Tomas’ Chris Camus (53.28 SP), Ateneo’s Eric Salamat (51.85) and Nico Salva (50.85), Adamson’s Eric Camson (49.28) and Ateneo’s Kirk Long (49.14).   Other top performers based on statistics released by Imperium Technology backed by Smart Bro and Dickies were UST’s Jeric Fortuna, who led in assists at 5.1 and Salamat, who topped in steals at 2.3.