The NCAA on Saturday honored De La Salle–College of Saint Benilde big man Allen Liwag as this season’s top individual performer, with the 6-foot-6 bruiser securing his second straight MVP plum.
This makes Liwag the first player to win back-to-back MVP honors since Nigerian big man Allwell Oraeme achieved the feat in Season 91 in 2015 and Season 92 in 2016, when he was playing for Mapua University.
Liwag garnered a 49.00 Player Average Value to seize the award after helping the Blazers reach the Final Four for the fourth straight year.
Colegio de San Juan de Letran rookie guard Titing Manalili was also named both the Rookie of the Year and Freshman of the Year, collecting 46.23 PAV as both Liwag and him lead the Mythical Five cast.
Also joining the Mythical Five are San Sebastian College-Recoletos rookie sensation Jhuniel Dela Rama (43.54), San Beda University super scorer Janti Miller (41.23), and another Letran star Kevin Santos (39.07).
Dela Rama was also named the Defensive Player of the Year for collecting 140 rebounds, 22 steals, and seven blocks while Liwag, Jose Rizal University's Ivan Panapanaan, Santos, and Mapua's Cyrus Nitura joined him in the Defensive Team.
Arellano University’s Renzo Abiera was named Most Improved Player after making a remarkable jump in the individual rankings, rising from 102nd last season to 34th this year.
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
