King Tamaraw Garcia named UAAP MVP

It has been less than three weeks since the UAAP Most Valuable Player was revealed to the public but it was only this time that Far Eastern University star RR Garcia finally got a hold of the coveted trophy.

But it was worth the wait for the 5-foot-10 Garcia, who was officially ascended as one of college basketball's big stars when he received the MVP award prior to the start of Game 2 of the UAAP finals between his team the FEU Tamaraws and the Ateneo Blue Eagles. The former RP U-18 team standout became the first Tamaraw in five years and the first guard in 19 years to win the said honor. "I'm happy to get this award," Garcia said in front of a large crowd at the Big Dome. "If not for my teammates, I won't win this MVP trophy." Although Garcia was elated when he hoisted his trophy, he knows that winning the championship will be the only thing that won't put his crowning achievement into waste. Garcia was also named to the Mythical Five and was joined by National University's Emmanuel Mbe, FEU teammate Aldrech Ramos and the University of the East duo of Paul Lee and Kenneth Acibar. Mbe, who finished second to Garcia in the MVP race, was the first Bulldog to make it to Mythical Five since Edwin Asoro in 2005. Ramos and Lee were named to the elite squad for the second straight season. The improving Acibar made it for the first time. Meanwhile, Kevin Ferrer bagged the MVP award in the juniors division even as National University's Roque Estoce took home the Rookie of the Year honors. Analyn Almazan took the MVP plum in the women's division while Aracelie Abaca of La Salle pocketed the Rookie of the Year honors. Almazan, who was named Finals MVP for steering the Lady Falcons to a 56-54 win over FEU in the title-clinching game yesterday, were joined in the Mythical Five by University of the East's Cindy Resultay, National University's Carmina Laquindanum and the FEU duo of Raiza Palmera and Allana Lim. - RCJ, GMANews.TV