UST’s Chabi Yo leads UAAP MVP race
SOULAMANE CHABI YO of University of Santo Tomas (UST) and Angelo Kouame of Ateneo De Manila University emerged as frontrunners in the race to the Most Valuable Player University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) men’s basketball tournament.
Beninese big man Chabi Yo collected 82.71 statistical points (SPs) built on averages of 19.9 points, 15.3 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 0.9 blocks and 0.6 steals,
good for No. 3.
Ivorian center Kouame, on the other hand, amassed 81.43 SPs on 14.0 points, 13.1 boards, 4.9 blocks, 1.3 steals and 1.1 dimes while playing a huge role in the two- time champions Blue Eagles’ unbeaten run in seven games.
Defending MVP Bright Akhuetie of University of the Philippines ( UP) settled for the third spot with 69 SPs on 14.6 markers, 12.0 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 0.8 steals and 0.8 blocks to lead the Fighting Maroons to No. 2 with a 5-2 slate.
prized recruit Kobe Paras with 65.2 SPs and Senegalese center Alex Diakhite of University of the East (UE) with 64.83 SPs.
UE’s Rey Suerte (62.29 SPs), De La Salle University’s Jamie Malonzo (61.5) and Justine Baltazar (58.57), Ateneo’s Thirdy Ravena (57.71) and Adamson University’s Lenda Douanga (56.86) composed the top ten.
With the Mythical Team based on playing position, on pace to complete the elite group are Chabi Yo, Paras, Suerte, Malonzo and Adamson’s FilPeruvian guard Val Chauca (No. 11 with 50.71 SPs).
Mark Nonoy of UST paced the Rookie of the Year race with 38.29 SPs, ahead of fellow Tiger freshman Sherwin Concepcion ( 33.86) and and Far Eastern University’s Xyrus Torres ( 27.29).
Meanwhile, in the women’s division,
95.57 SPs on per game counts of 25.6 points, 14.6 rebounds, 1.7 blocks and one steal to lead the race to the highest individual plum.
Trailing behind Congolese center Irebu are Adamson’s Mar Prado with 90.14 SPs and five- time champion National University’s Jack Animam with 75.57 SPs.