FILE–Lyceum’s Shawn Umali.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines—Shawn Umali is leading the Lyceum Pirates to a stellar undefeated run after three games in the NCAA Season 99 men’s basketball tournament.
His string of performances earned him the first Collegiate Press Corps’ Player of the Week plum of the new season and coach Gilbert Malabanan was not surprised one bit.
“I give credit to him. He said it himself, he’s a veteran now. I like his maturity, we confirmed that since last season. Before, he would even lose it but his maturity is getting there as time goes by,” said Malabanan in Filipino after the squad’s 76-73 win against Perpetual Help on Saturday.
Umali’s consistent start for Lyceum also helped the Season 98 Final Four team defeat last year’s finalists in Letran and College of St. Benilde.
After three games in the young season, the 6-foot-3 big has averaged 12 points, 5.67 rebounds and two assists.
The big-bodied center, though, clarified that he’s not in it for the personal stats but for the success of the team, as a whole.
“For me, I’m just doing my best for the team to help them. The scoring, I’m not looking at that,” said Umali.
“All I’m thinking of is how to help the whole team win.”
Umali edged Emilio Aguinaldo College’s JP Maguliano, Jose Rizal University’s Agem Miranda, San Beda’s Jacob Cortez and Mapua’s Clint Escamis for the weekly award presented by the San Miguel Corporation.