San Sebastian's Abueva leads NCAA MVP race

San Sebastian's Calvin Abueva, based on the numbers he posted after the elimination round, emerged as the leading candidate for the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award in the 87th NCAA men's basketball season. Abueva finished among the leaders in most statistical categories in the league to help the Stags claim second spot in the league with a 16-2 win-loss card. The NCAA, just like the UAAP, determines its MVP winner on statistical points. The Pampanga native topped the league in scoring with 364 points after 17 games for a 21.4 average. He was also the league's top rebounder with a 225 tally and 167 mark in defensive rebounds for a 13.2 and 9.8 averages, respectively. Abueva, who also led the league in free throws made with 126, was also third in assists with 68 (4.0), fourth in offensive rebounding (3.4) and seventh in field goal percentage (72.8 percent). If Abueva wins the MVP award, he will be fifth Stag to win the most coveted plum since Leo Najorda earned the individual honors in the 2003 season. Rommel Adducul (1996-96), Rodney Santos (1994) and Eugene Quilban (1987-88) were the other former SSC players who have been named league MVP's. Ronald Pasciual, Abueva's teammate, will likely earn a spot in the Mythical Five as the San Sebastian guard finished second in scoring (19.1), third in three-pointers made (37) and third free throw shooting with 79 percent. San Beda's Garvo Lanete should also contend for an individual award averaging 18.7 points for third place and came in second in free throw shooting with 80 percent. He was the top three-point shooter with 43 conversions. Letran's Kevin Alas also posted MVP-like numbers with per game averages of 17.2 points, 5.7 assists and 1.9 steals. His 102 assists and 35 steals are league records this season. Other possible candidates for an individual plum are San Sebastian's Ian Sangalang and the Letran duo of Raymond Almazan and Jam Cortes. The league will present the individual awards in the basketball tournament during the finals. — JVP, GMA News