From left to right - Kevin Alas, Jake Pascual, Defensive Player of the Year Raymond Almazan, MVP Ian Sangalang, Rookie of the Year Noube Happi, and Most Improved Player Earl Thompson. With the exception of Almazan, the players also comprise Season 88's Mythical Five. KC Cruz. . KC Cruz
For the second year in a row, a San Sebastian Stag is the league's Most Valuable Player.
Center Ian Sangalang of the San Sebastian College-Recoletos Stags was named MVP during a ceremony prior to game 2 of the NCAA Finals, Saturday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Sangalang took the plume after his teammate, Calvin Abueva, last season's awardee, was
disqualified from the race for the prize after being slapped with a disqualifying foul last August 23 for throwing a punch at Lyceum Pirate Vence Laude.
Abueva, who was
selected second overall in this season's PBA draft, finished the elimination round as the only player in Philippine basketball history to
lead a league in points, rebounds, and assists in the same season.
Sangalang for his part, normed 19.3 points, 11.6 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 1.1 steals, and 1.4 blocks.
Joining him in the Mythical Five were two of the protagonists of the ongoing Finals series, Letran Knight Kevin Alas, and San Beda Red Lion Jake Pascual. Rounding out the selection was Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals big man Noube Happi, and University of Perpetual Help Alta Earl Thompson.
Thompson, a sophomore, also landed the Most Improved Player award, while the Cameroonian Happi was adjudged Rookie of the Year.
Another Letran Knight, Raymond Almazan, was given the Defensive Player of the Year award,
despite missing a large chunk of the first round.
- AMD, GMA News
