Filipino import Ethan Alvano makes KBL history, wins domestic MVP

FILE–Ethan Alvano #17 and the Wonju DB Promy in the Korean Basketball League (KBL). –KBL PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Wonju DB Promy has an MVP in their roster and he’s not a homegrown Korean Basketball League (KBL) talent.

Filipino import Ethan Alvano officially won the league’s domestic MVP after posting norms of 15.9 points, 6.6 assists, 3.0 rebounds and 1.4 steals a game for Wonju.

After 54 games, Alvano powered DB Promy to a 41-13 record, making him one of the squad’s most notable names for the 2023-24 season.

READ: KBL: Ethan Alvano scores 20 to lift Wonju past Suwon

“I’m truly humbled and truly honored. Like I said before, I give all the glory to God, my teammates, coaches, everyone in DB, especially all our fans, my wife and my kids,” said the former Alab Pilipinas standout in the league’s awards night.

But Alvano was not the only name for Wonju to win an MVP plum.

American import Dedric Lawson, on the other hand, also took home the foreign MVP award after helping DB Promy reach the top spot 21.8 points, 9.8 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 1.2 steals a night.

READ: KBL: Ethan Alvano, Wonju slip past Seoul Thunders

Alvano is the second Filipino-import to win an award in the KBL for the second straight year as RJ Abarrientos won the Rookie of the Year award with the Ulsan Hyundai Mobis Phoebus.

Abarrientos and Alvano wouldn’t cross paths in the KBL again, though, as the latter moved to the Japanese B.League to play for the Shinshu Brave Warriors.

The combined efforts of Alvano and Lawson willed the Wonju to the league’s top spot and an automatic spot in the playoffs’ semifinal.