ADVERTISEMENT
Filtered By: Sports
Sports

UAAP Layup Lines - Season 76 mid-season awards


+
Add GMA on Google
Make this your preferred source to get more updates from this publisher on Google.

Halfway through the season, and the UAAP is staring at a parity sandwich. The FEU Tamaraws are a perfect 7-0, while the UP Fighting Maroons are a winless 0-7, but in-between are three squads with 4-3 records, and three with 3-4 cards.

So how best to make sense of what's happened in the first round of the UAAP? In part one of a two-part series, we asked our Layup Lines contributors to vote for several mid-season awards. Part two will see them cast their predictions for the Final Four, and the eventual season champs.

Agree or disagree with their picks? Let us know in the comments below. But first let's meet our panel -



Mid-season Most Valuable Player:



On Terrence Romeo -

Carlo Pamintuan:  Remember the time when we all said that Terrence Romeo will be unstoppable when fixes his shot selection and becomes a more willing passer? Well that’s happening now. He’s dominating the stats and his team is dominating the league. Even if he still has a couple of what he explained as “tinotopak” moments, Romeo more than makes us for these by being the best closer in the game

Aaron Valdez: From being FEU's scapegoat last season to getting suspended in the last few games of this year's preseason, Romeo entered UAAP Season 76 with large chips on his shoulder, that he used to lead the charge for the 7-0 Tams. Whether it's coach Racela's coaching style or his natural growth, it's been fun watching him make the extra pass and actualize his potential this season.

Renee Fopalan: It's almost unfair to have Terrence Romeo play varsity ball. He should be in the PBA already.

Polo Bustamante: He started the first round with a triple-double and ended it with a swagger-dagger trey, further cementing his status as the new superstar of the league. If you don’t believe he’s the MVP, ask all the seven teams he’s beaten. Chances are they’ll agree with me.

On RR Garcia -

Job De Leon: For letting Terrence Romeo do his thing. But seriously, not every former MVP will accept not being the alpha dog on a team he carried to two UAAP Finals.


Coach of the Mid-season:



On coach Nash Racela -

Chuck Araneta - Coach Nash came in at the 19th hour and cleaned house for FEU both on offense and defense. But his biggest case for Coach of the First Round might be in finding ways for RR Garcia and Terrence Romeo to function harmoniously on the floor.

Job De Leon - Nobody (except Carlo Pamintuan) had faith in this Tamaraws team heading into the season. Racela's a big reason why this team performs this well with these parts he's inherited.

Nico Baguio - I have to give my props to coach Nash Racela for installing a system that works with what FEU has, and in the process, pushing all the right buttons with Romeo.

Carlo Pamintuan - Not much changed with FEU’s line-up, but the results are so much different because of coach Nash. FEU has always been a talented team but coach Nash gave their talent purpose.

Favian Pua - Racela eased the Tamaraws into playing without Russel Escoto and convinced RR Garcia to play second fiddle behind Romeo.


Defensive Player of the Mid-season:



On Ingrid Sewa:

Favian Pua - Sewa's presence in the paint turns slashers into shooters and has allowed Rodney Brondial to play at power forward where the latter is more productive.

Renee Fopalan - It would be futile to do a spin move on Sewa. He's so hefty, he'd still be in front of you after you spin. A picture of efficiency, he puts up a double-double average in just 26 minutes of play on 61.9 percent shooting, committing less than three fouls a game.

Carlo Pamintuan - Adamson has no business hanging out with everyone else in this UAAP season, but they're right in the thick of things because of coach Leo Austria’s system and Ingrid Sewa’s defense.

On Charles Mammie:

Job De Leon - Mammie doesn't have a lot of blocks, but the number of shots he changes down low, and the sheer volume of rebounds he hauls in, are big reasons why UE is at 4-3 right now.

Aaron Valdez - If you're going to make a case that it's unfair for local big men to compete with foreign bigs (or 'imports'), Charles Mammie (and his 18 rebounds per game) is your best argument.

On Karim Abdul:

Polo Bustamante - I believe UST is one of the top defensive teams in the league (second in total points and points in the paint allowed). The anchor of that defense, Abdul (top-five in rebounds, blocks, steals per game), is not the sexiest pick, but he’s solid and proven.

On Chris Newsome:

Nico Baguio - Covers 1 to 5's. 'Nuff said.


Most Improved Player of the Mid-season:



On Arnold Van Opstal:

Carla Lizardo - This guy used to get a lot of flak from people who said he only knew how to dunk, but now he’s developed his post game and is a reliable last line of defense. DLSU also considers him to be their primary offensive option in the post.

Polo Bustamante - I can’t help but marvel at the improvement of AVO. He’s battling bigger, stronger imports with a polished post game and a motor that never stops. Thank you, Jun Limpot for unleashing AVO’s potential.

Renee Fopalan - AVO now demands the ball because he actually knows what to do with it. He looks steadier, more confident down at the low block.

On Ed Daquioag:

Job De Leon - All speculation about UST's point guard deficiency has to end. Sure, Jeric Fortuna was a better set-up man, but Daquioag also knows how to take charge.

On Roider Cabrera:

Nico Baguio - Slowly finding the right shot/no-shot balance, which is something any conscience-less shooter needs.

On Ryan Buenafe:

Chuck Araneta - Don't laugh. Even though Buenafe has been in the UAAP longer than most people have been in grade school, his improved perimeter shooting and overall leadership have been invaluable in keeping Ateneo alive while Kiefer Ravena has been on the mend.


Rookie of the Mid-Season:
(Editor's note: we allowed both "true" freshmen and general first-timers in the UAAP for this award, contrary to the normal process)



On Chris Newsome:

Carla Lizardo - Newsome led ADMU in scoring when Kiefer was out with his injury. He can pretty much do everything – he’s a good finisher, he gets rebounds and hustles for loose balls.

Renee Fopalan - He's just too athletic and efficient. Bo Perasol should thank his lucky stars he has Newsome around. Without him, they'd be 1-6.

On Kyles Lao:

Chuck Araneta - #FREEKYLESLAO. It's another lost season for UP, so they would do good to just unleash Kyles Lao, and let his teammates feed off him.

Polo Bustamante - I think it’s safe to say that Lao is the only pick for ROY. No other rookie comes close. He’s been one of the few bright spots in another dismal season for the Fighting Maroons.

On Charles Mammie:

Carlo Pamintuan - Jerie Ping...nope...not him...Kib Montal....nope....not him either. Cop out answer: Charles Mammie. Even if I named Sewa as the best defensive player of the first round, I think Mammie contributed more on offense for UE.


- AMD, GMA News
Tags: uaapseason, ateneodemanilauniversityblueeagles, delasalleuniversitygreenarchers, fareasternuniversitytamaraws, adamsonuniversitysoaringfalcons
Most Popular