La Salle star Kevin Quiambao is UAAP MVP for the second straight season.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — Kevin Quiambao proved to be the brightest star in the UAAP for the second straight year after being named MVP of the Season 87 men’s basketball tournament.
After another masterclass season, Quiambao was once again the runaway MVP winner with 81.357 statistical points after averaging 16.64 points, 8.64 rebounds, 4.07 assists, and a steal in the elimination round.
The 23-year-old forward became the first La Salle Green Archer to win back-to-back MVPs since Ben Mbala in 2016 and 2017.
READ: UAAP: Kevin Quiambao resets career-high in La Salle rout of Ateneo
For the second straight season, Kevin Quiambao wins the MVP! #UAAPSeason87 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/KbQhZcoKJf
— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) November 28, 2024
He was also the first local to win two consecutive MVPs since Ateneo guard Kiefer Ravena in 2014 and 2015.
Quiambao joined an elite club of La Salle two-time MVPs with Jun Limpot (1987-88), Mark Telan (1996-97), Don Allado (1998-1999), and Mbala.
The former UAAP Rookie of the Year headlined the Mythical Team anew after beating his closest competitor and teammate Mike Phillips, who was second in the statistical race with 74.928 SPs from his averages of 12.0 points, 11.57 rebounds, 1.71 steals, and 1.07 blocks.
Phillips is returning to the Mythical Five selection after claiming his first in Season 84 during his rookie year.
University of the Philippines’ graduating guard JD Cagulangan was third in the race and earned his mythical selection with 69.167 SPs, leading the Fighting Maroons with an average of 11.75 points, 5.0 assists, and 1.75 steals.
Completing the top five were Far Eastern University’s foreign-student athlete Mo Konateh (68.643 SPs), who had 10.21 points, 16.71 rebounds and 2.36 blocks and University of Santo Tomas star Nic Cabanero (61.0 SPs) after leading his team back to the Final Four after five years with an average of 16.29 points, 5.43 rebounds, and 1.93 assists.
READ: UAAP: La Salle’s Kevin Quiambao on track to win 2nd straight MVP
Veejay Pre is set to be crowned as the first Rookie of the Year from FEU since Terrence Romeo earned the award 14 years ago after the former Baby Tamaraw had 50.857 SPs — 11th in the statistical race — to beat Ateneo’s Jared Bahay (47.0 SPs).
Pre, who averaged 13.29 points and 7.0 rebounds, became the seventh Tamaraw to win the ROY, joining Johnny Abarrientos (1989), Mark Victoria (1996), Leo Avenido (1999), Arwind Santos (2002), and JR Cawaling (2007).
The individual awardees will be crowned in Finals Game 2.
Gilas Pilipinas star Quiambao leads the twice-to-beat La Salle against No.4 Adamson in the Final Four on Saturday at Smart Araneta Coliseum, while No.2 UP and No.3 UST clash for the other Finals berth.