Rising high school star Sean Franco made history as the first-ever player from Arellano University to claim the NCAA Juniors Basketball MVP award.
Franco was formally hailed the top individual player in the NCAA Season 101 juniors basketball tournament on Saturday after helping the Braves reach the championship round against Colegio de San Juan de Letran.
Franco garnered 53.00 Player Average Value (PAV) to claim the MVP recognition while also being named the Defensive Player of the Year, collecting 127 rebounds, 25 steals, and 18 blocks in 13 games he played in the group stage.
Josef Calo-oy of Benilde-La Salle Green Hills earned a Mythical Five inclusion while also getting the Rookie of the Year award. Calo-oy's teammate in Patrick Pasinos, Emilio Aguinaldo College's Kelly Coronel, Mapua University's Jhillian Palis, and Arellano University's Ray Ladica complete the Mythical Team.
Joining Franco in the Defensive Team are Pasinos, the Mapua tandem of MJ Bernabe and John Bagro, Coronel, and San Sebastian's Browyn Tepan.
Arellano's Laurence Pillas was hailed the Most Improved Player after rising from 139th in the players' ranking last season to 32nd this year, helping the likes of Franco, Ray Ladica, Axel Mendoza, and Aaron Manansala bring the Braves to the finale.
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
