Lebron Jhames Daep closed out his high school career by rewriting history, winning both the MVP and Finals MVP awards in a single season to help the Junior ALTAs win their first-ever NCAA juniors basketball championship in Season 100.
Daep, who is also part of the Mythical Team and All-Defensive Team, becomes the first player to accomplish the feat since Baser Amer won both top awards in 2010, when the San Beda University legend led the Red Cubs to the title in Season 86, which became part of their seven straight crowns.
"Sobrang saya namin at natutuwa kami kasi nakagawa kami ng history pero ‘yung laro na ‘yun para kay God talaga. Hindi kami naglaro para sa panalo," Daep said.
[We're overjoyed and we're so happy because we made history but that game is really for God. We didn't play just for the win.]
More than the individual accolades, the 18-year-old big man said winning the championship—the school's first since joining the league in 1984—is far more important.
Daep, who was held to his season-low scoring in their 95-91 loss to Benilde-La Salle Green Hills in Game 2, bounced back big in the winner-take-all Game 3 by posting a double-double outing of 12 points and 10 rebounds to go with two assists, two steals, and two blocks.
But the rising big man didn't lack support as Jan Roluna, JD Pagulayan, Icee Callangan, and Jim Corpuz all did their part in the historic 101-67 victory.
"Natutuwa ako ngayon kasi naka-bounce back kami pero mas natutuwa ako kasi ‘yung relationship namin after nu’ng Game 2 mas naging malalim," Daep added.
"‘Yung bond namin mas tumibay kasi nagusap-usap kami na kailangan naming mag-bounce back pero no matter what happened, brotherhood kami. Pamilya kami. Mas napatibay namin ‘yung bond namin."
[I'm happy today because we bounced back but I'm every more happy because our relationship after Game 2 really is deeper... Our bond is stronger because we all talked and said we needed to bounce back but no matter what happened, we are a brotherhood. We're family. We strengthened our bond.]
—JMB, GMA Integrated News
