La Salle’s Schonny Winston at the Green Archers bench after missing game vs FEU. –UAAP PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — Schonny Winston is honored to be on top of the MVP race in the UAAP Season 85 men’s basketball tournament but his sole focus is to deliver a crown for La Salle in his final year.
The Filipino-American shooter emerged as the first round’s statistical leader with 84.429 statistical points (SPs) through seven games, where he averaged a league-best 21.29 points to go with 6.14 rebounds, 3.57 assists, and 3.0 steals through their first seven games.
Although Winston could be La Salle’s first MVP since Ben Mbala’s back-to-back run in 2016 and 2017, his only goal is to become a champion this season.
“I’d rather be called champion than MVP, so, that’s like how I feel about it. I mean, I’m really honored to be the top candidate but I really also wanna contest for the crown as well,” said Winston after sitting out in La Salle’s 57-53 loss to the surging Far Eastern University on Wednesday at Mall of Asia Arena.
However, the Green Archers are struggling with three-straight losses, sliding to a 3-5 record. And the 24-year-old gunner is still doubtful against the Ateneo Blue Eagles on Saturday at Smart Araneta Coliseum due to a strained calf.
“We haven’t decided yet (if I can play against Ateneo),” said Winston, who led La Salle’s first round victory over its rival. “Today, it’s day-by-day, after the Adamson game. I strained my calf so we’re just trying to take it day by day, recovering and slowly strengthening it.”
Aside from Winston, La Salle also missed the services of Michael Phillips, Raven Cortez, Ice Blanco and Evan Nelle against the Tamaraws.