Amid MVP talks, JRU star Alvarez told: Focus on team, not stats

Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

On the verge of a potential MVP season, Jose Rizal University star Shola Alvarez got a much-needed advice from her coach Mia Tioseco.

The growing MVP talks have been hard to escape for Alvarez especially when she keeps putting up numbers that validate her case as one of the top players in the NCAA.

And Tioseco’s two-cents couldn’t be more of value and timely with Alvarez and the rest of the Lady Bombers fighting for a Final Four spot.

“I wasn’t doing well in our last training and coach told me not to think about the stats but rather think about the team because if you think about the stats, we won’t make it to the Final Four,” Alvarez told reporters in Filipino after leading JRU to a 25-13, 23-25, 25-11, 25-12, win over Lyceum on Tuesday.

The Lady Bombers are primed to make the Final Four and if they do, Alvarez will officially be a legitimate MVP contender along with San Beda’s Cesca Raqraquin.

“She’s one of the top players so I guess she deserves to be the MVP,” said Tioseco of her player.

Alvarez unleashed 23 points built on 16 hits and three blocks as JRU secured at least a playoff for a semifinals slot.

The 20-year-old Alvarez has come a long way since showing up to JRU’s practice for the first time several years ago.

“We’re really proud of her because when she came here with us she couldn’t last jogging for five minutes and look where she is now,” said Tioseco.