ALL hail to the new ‘King Lion!’
San Beda University ace forward Calvin Oftana was named the Most Valuable Player of the 95th NCAA basketball tournament.
The 6-foot-5 Oftana tallied 51.56 PAV (player’s average value) after averaging 15.6 points, 8.2 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 1.2 blocks year for the four-peat seeking Red Lions.
San Beda, which swept the elimination round with an 18-0 record, tackles rival Letran in a best-of-3 finals kicking off tomorrow at the Mall of Asia Arena.
The third-ranked Knights stunned No. 2 Lyceum 92-88 in their knockout match last Friday to advance to the Big Dance for the first time in four years.
Silent but effective all-season long, Oftana became the eighth San Beda player to win the plum and first since American Sudan Daniel in 2010.
Oftana’s teammates Evan Nelle and James Canlas finished 2nd and 3rd, respectively, in the MVP race.
Nelle had 45.39 PAV on the strength of his league-best 6.7 assists, on top of 10.2 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 1.6 steals, while Canlas amassed 45.33 PAV with norms of 14.1 points, 5.6 boards, and 2.8 assists.
San Sebastian gunner Allyn Bulanadi wound up fourth with 45.28 PAV after he led the league in scoring with 20.3 points, to go with 5.0 rebounds, 2.3 dimes, and 1.3 steals.
Completing the Mythical selection is Pirate Jaycee Marcelino, who had 43.94 PAV after averaging 18.2 points, 5.2 boards, 2.8 assists, and 1.4 steals.
San Beda’s Donald Tankoua was named Best Foreign Player with 45.28 PAV, built on 13.3 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 1.9 assists in the final season where foreign student-athletes are allowed to suit up in the NCAA.
Arellano center Justin Arana, a transferee from University of Santo Tomas, bagged Rookie of the Year honors with 35.50 PAV after averaging 13.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, 2.8 blocks, and 1.4 assists.
He also earned a place in this season’s Defensive Team together with Oftana, Perpetual’s Ben Adamos, Emilio Aguinaldo College’s JP Maguliano, San and the Golden Stags’ JM Calma.