Filoil: John Lloyd Clemente is preseason MVP, leads NU to title

FILE – John Lloyd Clemente of NU during a UAAP game. – Clemente is part of the Filoil Preseason Cup Mythical Five after leading NU to the finals. INQUIRER/Tristan Tamayo

MANILA, Philippines—John Lloyd Clemente helped National University win the Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup title then took home the MVP plum on Saturday at San Juan Arena.

Clemente averaged 13.3 points, 4.1 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game for NU, which pulled off a perfect 11-0 campaign following a 56-46 win over Far Eastern University in the finals.

Joining Clemente in the Mythical Five selection are FEU’s Royce Alforque, De La Salle’s Mike Phillips, College of St. Benilde’s Will Gozum and Carl Tamayo of University of the Philippines.

Alforque stood out for the Tamaraws, norming 9.4 points, 4.6 rebounds and 3.9 assists heading into the title clash.

Phillips nearly registered a double-double in nine games with 9.8 points and 9.9 rebounds while also making his presence felt on the defensive end averaging 1.2 blocks per outing for the Green Archers. He was also named Best Defensive Player in the tournament.

Tamayo, who was absent in the Fighting Maroons’ loss to FEU, led the tournament with 17.8 points, 6.9 rebounds and 2.5 assists.

Lastly, Gozum, who finished the preseason with a loss to La Salle in the quarterfinals, posted 13.7 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.8 assists.

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