Archer Quiambao, Eagle Dela Rosa hold wide leads in MVP derbies

La Salle’s Kevin Quiambao.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

Kevin Quiambao, La Salle’s all-around cornerstone, and Ateneo’s double-double machine, Kacey dela Rosa, are on track to win second straight MVPs in the men’s and women’s divisions, respectively, after first-round statistics for Season 87 of the UAAP basketball tournaments were released on Wednesday.

The hands-down winner last season, Quiambao had a league-leading 87.571 statistical points (SPs) after averages of 16.43 points of 8.86 rebounds, 5.43 assists and 1.29 steals, leading University of the Philippines guard JD Cagulangan, who averaged 77 SPs, by a wide margin. Quiambao could become La Salle’s first back-to-back MVP after Ben Mbala starting in 2016.

Quiambao and the Green Archers dealt Cagulangan and the Fighting Maroons their only loss in the first round.

La Salle has a second big man in the top five in Mike Phillips, a Mythical Team member in Season 84 who is running third with 72.143 SPs after averaging 10 points, 11.57 rebounds, 2.43 assists, 1.71 steals and a block.

7 straight double-doubles

University of the East star Precious Momowei, who missed winning last season’s Rookie of the Year due to suspension, is fourth in the statistical race with 68.286 SPs, followed by the league’s rebounding leader Mohamed Konateh of Far Eastern University with 63.571 SPs. Only one of the two foreign student-athletes is eligible to win a mythical team award.

Dela Rosa, meanwhile, turned in an average of 90.143 SPs built on seven straight double-doubles for eye-popping norms of 21.43 points, 14.71 rebounds, 2.14 blocks, 1.29 assists and a steal.

Though the Blue Eagles are at 4-3 and needing a good second round to clinch a sure Final Four berth, Dela Rosa’s numbers have surely stood out and are worthy of another MVP.

University of Santo Tomas star Kent Pastrana, who won the Season 86 Athlete of the Year for team sport, is second in the MVP race with 84.714 SP average after turning in 17.29 points, 9.14 rebounds, 2.71 assists, 2.29 steals and 1.43 blocks for the defending champion Growling Tigresses, who have a 6-1 first-round record.