Manila: Cabs Cabonilas of Far Eastern University-Diliman has emerged as the frontrunner for the Most Valuable Player title after leading the Statistical Points (SP) race in the UAAP Season 88 boys basketball tournament. The 6-foot-4 forward from Digos City accumulated 83.286 SP at the conclusion of the elimination round.
According to Philippines News Agency, Cabonilas, 19, showcased stellar performance by averaging 15.79 points, 8.86 rebounds, 3.79 assists, 1.79 steals, and 1.5 blocks over the course of 14 games, propelling the Baby Tamaraws to an impressive 11-3 record. Despite his individual success, FEU-D is set to face Ateneo de Manila University in a playoff for the No. 2 seed, scheduled for Wednesday at 2 p.m. at the Blue Eagle Gym.
In the previous season, Kiefer Alas attained 91.429 SPs to secure the MVP award over Cabonilas, who had 90.071 SPs. This year, Nigerian player Jude Eriobu from Ateneo will receive the Best Foreign Student-Athlete accolade, having recorded 99.857 SPs, with averages of 21.64 points, 17.07 rebounds, 3.29 blocks, and 1.0 steals in 14 games.
The Elite Team will include Cabonilas, Eriobu, De La Salle-Zobel's Maco Dabao (71.286), University of Santo Tomas' Kirk Canete (69.5), and Ateneo's Jay M. Leal (66.214). National University Nazareth School's point guard Mot Matias (70.923) and Malian center Moussa Diakite (70.385) ranked fourth and fifth, respectively. However, Matias was rendered ineligible for an individual award due to a suspension following two unsportsmanlike fouls in a game against UE on February 25. Diakite, being a foreign student-athlete, was also excluded from the Elite Team.
In the girls' division, UST's Rhiane Perez secured the MVP honor with 103.5 SPs, surpassing NUNS's Zayden Rosano, who had 101.167 SPs. The 17-year-old Perez averaged 14.17 points, 10.83 rebounds, 6.5 assists, 3.5 steals, and 2.17 blocks. Both UST and NUNS concluded the eliminations with identical 5-1 records and will compete in the best-of-three Finals series.
Completing the Elite Team in the girls' division are NUNS' Aubrey Lapasaran (82.667) and UST's Indonesian center Koukoou Talla (76.0) and Lea Pi±uela (74.333). The awarding ceremony is scheduled for March 22 at 12 p.m. at the Blue Eagle Gym.
