San Beda’s Calvin Oftana leads NCAA MVP race

Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines—Well-augured as San Beda’s savior, Calvin Oftana lived up to his billing in leading the Most Valuable Player race for this season’s NCAA men’s basketball tournament.

The 6-foot-5 do-it-all forward tallied averages of 15.3 points, 8.6 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.2 blocks per game after the defending champion Red Lions swept the first round for a player all-around value (PAV) total of 51.22.

At far second is his teammate, San Beda starting point guard Evan Nelle with 44.11 while San Sebastian’s Allyn Bulanadi, the leader in scoring with 17.3 points per games, is running third with 43.78. 

San Beda’s Donald Tankoua (43.44) and James Canlas (41.56) rounded up the top five.

Also in the hunt for MVP honors are Justin Gutang of College of St. Benilde (40.75), Lyceum’s Jaycee Marcelino (39.75) and Mike Nzeusseu (38.67), Letran’s Larry Muyang (37.89) and Perpetual’s Ben Adamos (37.44).