UAAP: UST Tigresses’ Eka Soriano on clear track to win MVP

UST Tigresses’ Eka Soriano. UAAP PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — University of Santo Tomas’ Eka Soriano is the runaway statistical leader at the end of the first round in the UAAP Season 85 women’s basketball tournament.

Soriano emerged on top of the MVP race with 101.143 statistical points (SPs), holding a huge margin against No.2 Kacey Dela Rosa of Ateneo, who tallied 87.8 SPs through five games in the opening round.

Soriano averaged 16.43 points, 5.29 rebounds, 7.29 assists, and 4.29 steals per game in the first round as the Tigresses currently hold second place with a 6-2 record after losing to the La Salle Lady Archers, 67-60, to start the second round.

The UST star is on pace to become the school’s second straight MVP after Grace Irebu won the award in Season 82 last 2019.

Dela Rosa, the Blue Eagles’ freshman out of Chiang Kai Shek, is also leading the Rookie of the Year race after averaging 19.8 points, 15.7 rebounds, 3.8 blocks, and 1.4 steals.

Ateneo guard Jhazmin Joson is in third with 81.429 SPs, while two National University standouts in Ann Pingol and Camille Clarin complete the top five. Pingol and Clari accumulated 74.8 and 74.286 SPs , respectively.

UST’s Tacky Tacatac holds the sixth place with 73.857, followed by La Salle’s Charmine Torres (69.571) and Fina Niantcho Tchuido (68.0); NU’s Tin Cayabyab (67.286); and UST’s Bridgette Santos (63.826) to complete the top 10.