Lattes-Letran’ Vince Himzon is the Spikers’ Turf MVP. –PVL PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — Vince Himzon made history as the first middle blocker to win the Spikers’ Turf Most Valuable Player on Friday at FilOIl EcoOil Centre in San Juan City.
Himzon, who led Saints and Lattes-Letran to a semifinal run, emerged as the Invitational Conference MVP despite falling short to Japanese team Maruichi Hyogo, 25-20, 16-25, 21-25, 25-22, 11-15, in the battle for third where he poured in 21 points.
The NCAA Season 98 Rookie of the Year made waves in his Spikers’ Turf stint, emerging as one of the top players and becoming the first non-wing spiker to win the MVP since the league was inaugurated in 2015.
Himzon, who also brought home one of the two Best Middle Blocker awards, was the top spiker in the pool stage with a 55.1 percent attack rate and top 15 scorer with 65 points 54 attacks, 7 blocks, and four aces.
Letran won four of its five games in Pool C, behind unbeaten leader Cignal, before ousting Cabuyao Cabstars in the quarterfinal.
Himzon averaged 15.25 points in the semifinal round, where the Saints placed third with a 2-2 record.
Open Conference MVP Jau Umandal of Cignal earned the 1st Best Outside Spiker, while Letran’s John Derrick Bautista earned the 2nd best.
Cignal’s John Paul Bugaoan got the 1st Best Middle Blocker, while National University-Sta. Elena’s Leo Ordiales was named as the Best Opposite Spiker.
NU star Joshua Retamar was named as Spikers’ Turf Best Setter for the third time, while Cignal’s Manuel Sumanguid III got his fifth Best Libero award.