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Heavy Bomber Wilson, Light Bomber Vigil crowned NCAA MVPs


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Jose Rizal’s John Wilson and Louie Vigil basked in glory as the top individual performers in the seniors’ and juniors division, respectively, of the 85th NCAA basketball tournament during simple awarding rites Saturday at the Big Dome.

Jose Rizal’s John Wilson raises his MVP and Mythical 5 trophies Saturday during the awarding ceremonies of the 85th NCAA basketball tournament at the Big Dome. GMANews.TV
Wilson edged American rookie Sudan Daniel of San Beda to snare the seniors’ most valuable player (MVP) plum while Vigil ran away with the accolade in the high school section to complete a twin victory for a school still hurting from the painful Final Four losses it absorbed last week. The 6-2 Wilson amassed average statistical points of 52.7, besting the 6’8" Daniel’s 51.3 points to become the first Bomber to win the award since Ernani Epondulan accomplished the feat eight seasons back. He is sixth overall among all Bombers, joining Estelito Epondulan (1990), Philip Cezar (1972), Sixto Agbay (1969), Roel Deles (1967) and 2001 MVP Epondulan in the elite roster. Vigil was a cut above the rest in the juniors’ division, compiling 68.2 average points to finish way ahead of Letran’s Jarelan Tampus (60.7) and Glenn Khobuntin (59.6), teammate Joshua Saret (57.6) and San Beda’s Baser Amer (57.3). Vigil’s dominating effort made for a fitting followup to the 2008 MVP performance of former teammate Keith Agovida, making it two in a row for a school that lost its Final Four games. Wilson and Daniel led the elite Mythical Five that included Arellano U’s Giorgio Ciriacruz (43.3), San Sebastian’s Calvin Abueva (42.6) and Letran’s RJ Jazul (42.3).
The Mythical 5 of the 85th NCAA seniors basketball tournament (from left): San Beda’s Sudan Daniel, Arellano’s Giorgio Ciriacruz, San Sebastian’s Calvin Abueva, Jose Rizal’s MVP John Wilson, and Letran's RJ Jazul. GMANews.TV
San Sebastian’s Jimbo Aquino would have been in Jazul’s spot but was disqualified from receiving any individual award for a flagrant foul he committed in the Stags’ 65-71 loss to the Lions in their playoff match last week. Daniel, who led the league in blocks by swatting a total of 75 shots, also earned the Rookie and Defensive Player of the Year honors in the seniors wars while Amer was adjudged top freshman and Vigil top defender in the high school section. San Beda Red Lion Jake Pascual and Red Cub Cris Javier, meanwhile, snatched the Most Improved Player plums in their respective divisions. - GMANews.TV