COMING up big when it mattered most, Nueva Ecija’s hardworking big man Michael Mabulac ran away with the biggest individual award in the Chooks-to-Go MPBL Invitational powered by TM last Wednesday night at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.
The former Jose Rizal University standout was named league MVP, edging prolific scorer Mac Tallo of Bicol-LCC Malls in a close fight for the coveted plum.
Mabulac said he did not expect to bag the top award in the 13-day, FIBA-style tourney.
“Hindi ko talaga ito inexpect. Talagang blessed ako ngayong taon na ito,” Mabulac said.
The 6-foot-4 Mabulac, also the 2021 Chooks-to-Go VisMin Super Cup finals MVP, averaged 13.3 points, 10.3 rebounds, and 2.5 assists in the group stage.
A native of Dasmarinas, Cavite, Mabulac led the Rice Vanguards to a 4-0 record in Group C and was a key cog in Nueva Ecija’s run to the finals.
The Rice Vanguards tangled with Basilan-Jumbo Plastic Medical Depot in the finals last night, with a whopping P2 million prize at stake.
In Nueva Ecija’s 82-76 victory over Imus-Buracai de Laiya in their semifinals duel also last Wednesday night, Mabulac shone with 17 points, 15 rebounds, five assists, and two steals
