PCCL champ San Sebastian Stags earns CBA award

MANILA, Philippines—A historic title romp in a nationwide tournament has earned San Sebastian a fitting recognition in the Collegiate Basketball Awards.

The Stags, who recently emerged as the first NCAA team to capture the Philippine Collegiate Champions League crown, will receive the Distinction for Excellence in the annual event hosted by the UAAP-NCAA Press Corps and Smart on Jan. 21 at the Gateway Suites in Cubao.

“I told them not to be complacent, to push themselves to the limit,” said coach Topex Robinson of his Stags, who stunned four-time UAAP champion Ateneo in the Finals just over two weeks ago.

The Stags’ feat also spoiled the Blue Eagles’ bid for a record third straight crown in the tournament that gathers the best varsity teams in the country.

San Sebastian’s main man Calvin Abueva, the reigning NCAA MVP, also leads the individual awardees with a slot in the Mythical Team along with Ateneo’s Greg Slaughter and Kiefer Ravena, San Beda’s Garvo Lanete and UAAP MVP Bobby Ray Parks of National University.

PCCL MVP Ian Sangalang, the reedy center who helped power the Stags to the NCAA Finals, will share the Mr. Efficiency honors with Far Eastern University’s Aldrech Ramos.

Also earning recognition are Ateneo’s Nico Salva and San Beda’s Dave Marcelo (Pivotal Players), FEU’s RR Garcia (Court General), San Sebastian’s Ronald Pascual (Impact Player), Letran’s Kevin Alas (Energy Player) and Ateneo’s Emman Monfort (Maynilad Super Senior) and Kirk Long (Defensive Stopper).

The champion coaches will be similarly feted with Ateneo’s Norman Black earning his fourth straight UAAP Coach of the Year plum and San Beda’s Frankie Lim receiving the NCAA Coach of the Year honor.