ONLY a second straight title is missing for La Salle star Kevin Quiambao, something he is raring to achieve in what could be a fitting swan song.
The 6-foot-7 Quiambao is set to be crowned MVP of the 87th UAAP basketball tournament for the second and final time.
Quiambao totaled 81.357 statistical points (SPs) from a league-best 16.64 points from 30.69-percent shooting from beyond the arc, to go with 8.64 rebounds 4.07 assists, and 1.0 steals in 30 minutes of play as the Taft-based quintet wound up as the top seed in the Final Four.
He became the fifth Green Archer to bag back-to-back MVP plums after Ben Mbala in 2016 and 2017, Don Allado (1998 and 1999), Mark Telan (1996 and 1997), and Jun Limpot (1987 and 1988).
Quiambao will also be the first local to achieve the feat since former Ateneo star Kiefer Ravena did the trick in 2014 and 2015.
Another La Salle standout, Michael Phillips, finished a far second in the MVP derby with 74.928 SPs built on 12.0 points, 11.57 boards, 1.71 steals, and 1.07 blocks.
University of the Philippines guard JD Cagulangan also got the nod in the top five with 69.167 SPs with norms of 11.75 points, 5.0 assists, and a UAAP-high 1.75 steals in boosting the Fighting Maroons to No. 2 in the Last Four.
Far Eastern University defensive anchor Mo Konateh is also part of the list after becoming the top foreign student-athlete with 68.643 SPs, showing the way in the league with 16.71 rebounds and 2.36 blocks on top of 10.21 points.
Completing the Mythical Team is University of Santo Tomas gunner Nic Cabanero, who had 61.0 SPs from his second-best mark of 16.29 points, along with 5.43 boards and 1.93 assists, steering Growling Tigers back to the semifinals for the first time since 2019.
The twice-to-beat Archers take on the Adamson University Soaring Falcons in the Last Four tomorrow at the Smart Araneta Coliseum while UP, also armed with a win-once incentive, clashes with UST in the other Final Four showdown.
Tamaraw forward Veejay Pre will capture the Rookie of the Year award after emerging with 50.857 SP spiked by 13.29 points and 7.0 rebounds and good for 11th in the MVP race.
With another Best Player of the League trophy in the bag, Quiambao simply needs three more wins to complete a storied collegiate stint.
