PRIZED forward Kevin Quiambao of defending champion La Salle is out for a swan song to remember.
The 6-foot-8 Quiambao is contending heavily for a second straight MVP award after showing the way in statistical points at the end of first-round action in the 87th UAAP basketball tournament.
Quiambao totaled 87.571 SPs after leading the Green Archers to a league-leading 6-1 mark built on league-best norms of 16.43 points, to go with 8.86 rebounds, 5.43 assists, and 1.29 steals. The team’s only loss so far was inflicted by University of the East.
Former La Salle slotman Ben Mbala was the last back-to-back MVP in 2016 and 2017.
University of the Philippines playmaker JD Cagulangan stood a distant second with 77.0 SPs, followed by Quiambao’s teammate Mike Phillips (72.143 SPs), University of the East forward Precious Momowei (68.286 SPs), and Far Eastern University center Mo Konateh (63.571 SPs).
Rounding out the top 10 were the University of Santo Tomas duo of Forthsky Padrigao (62.429 SPs) and Mo Tounkara (60 SPs), Archer guard Joshua David (55.857 SPs), Growling Tigers’ gunner Nic Cabanero (55.143 SPs), and Fighting Maroons center Quentin Millora-Brown (54.714 SPs).
The UAAP uses SPs as the sole basis for individual awards.
In women’s play, Ateneo’s Kacey Dela Rosa likewise is seeking the top plum anew.
The Ateneo center amassed 90.143 SPs on the strength of her league-leading averages of 21.43 points, 14.71 rebounds, and 2.14 blocks, along with 1.29 assists and 1.0 steal.
UST guard Kent Pastrana trailed Dela Rosa at second with 84.714 SPs on 17.29 points, 9.14 boards, 2.71 assists, 2.29 steals, and 1.43 blocks.
Completing the top five were Ateneo’s Junize Calago (72.571 SPs), UP guard Louna Ozar (71.571 SPs), and Ateneo’s Sarah Makanjuola (67.429 SPs).
Rounding out the top 10 were National University’s Angel Surada (65.714 SPs) and Camille Clarin (64.429 SPs), UST’s Eka Soriano (64 SPs), UP’s Achrissa Maw (63.857 SPs), and UE’s Rachel Lacayanga (60.667 SPs).
What Quiambao said after the Taft-based five’s 68-56 victory over the Maroons last Sunday should serve as a stern warning to the rest of the field–he and La Salle are far from done–raring to both win it all anew.
“Coming into this game, sinabi lang sa amin ng coaching staff na we should believe and have faith na kaya naming talunin ang lahat ng team,” he said. “So, iyong pagkatalo namin sa UE is a wake-up call sa amin.
“This game sobrang gigil kami na makuha itong panalo na ito kasi marami pa kaming kailangang i-improve.”
