Photo by Tristan Tamayo/ INQUIRER.net
Picking up where he left off last season, Ben Mbala was once again hailed as the Most Valuable Player in the UAAP for the second straight year.
The Cameroonian big man continued his dominance in UAAP Season 80 for La Salle, posting 26.0 points, 13.1 rebounds, 1.3 steals and 2.5 blocks per game to finish with 96.58 total statistical points (SPs).
At distant second is Ateneo forward Thirdy Ravena, who mustered 66.50 SPs, followed by National University senior J-Jay Alejandro with 63.86 SPs.
University of the East scorer Alvin Pasaol came in fourth with 63.43 SPs, while Adamson bruiser Papi Sarr wound up with 63.15 SPs.
Rounding out the top 10 in the MVP race are NU big man Issa Gaye (57.57 SPs), UST center Steve Akomo (56.77 SPs), La Salle high-flyer Ricci Rivero (56.29 SPs), University of the Philippines captain Paul Desiderio (54.50 SPs), and Ateneo center Chibueze Ikeh (49.36 SPs).
Mbala, Ravena, Alejandro, Pasaol, and Rivero will make up this year’s Mythical Team.
Meanwhile, UP playmaker Juan Gomez de Liaño is this season’s best rookie after netting 46.69 SPs powered by his averages of 11.6 points, 6.2 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 1.0 steal per outing.