Blue Eagle Kirk Long named PCCL Model Player

Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagle Kirk Long was awarded the Philippine Collegiate Champions League's highest individual honor, the Model National Collegiate Player of the Year award, last Friday at the 9501 Restaurant. Long, a fifth year guard and graduating senior, averaged 7.8 points, 2.9 rebounds, 3 assists and 0.8 steals per game, while also playing tenacious defense in the 74th season of the UAAP, helping his team reach their goal of winning the UAAP championship four years in a row. The long-armed 6'3" tri-captain also had several big moments in the PCCL, despite Ateneo being denied the opportunity to win three titles in a row by the San Sebastian College Stags. According to PCCL chair Rey Gamboa, the Model National Collegiate Player of the Year award is "given to the collegiate player who during his collegiate playing years, combined academic and sports achievements...whilst playing competitively at high standards of performance and sportsmanship, making the awardee worthy for emulation as a role model." The aforementioned Stags also picked up a few choice plumes, with Ian Sangalang being named Season MVP, and Calvin Abueva getting the Game Changer title. Their head coach Topex Robinson likewise picked up the Best Coach award for making history, steering his NCAA tournament runners-up to the first ever PCCL title by an NCAA school. Also honored were two UAAP institutions, National University and De La Salle University. The NU Bulldogs received the Upstart Award, given to a team "that is rising to prominence as a major contender for future competitions," while the DLSU Green Archers copped the Fortitude Award, "given to the team that has displayed resoluteness and courage to qualify to the Sweet 16 in the face of drastic changes in team composition." Several schools were recognized for their Breakthrough Performance, given to first-timers in the Sweet 16, namely the University of Northern Philippines, the University of Batangas, AMA-Ormoc, and STI-Cagayan de Oro. Finally, individual awards were also given to San Beda atheltic director Ato Badolato and San Sebastian's Francisco Gusi. Badolato was given the Eye for Talent award, while Gusi received Motivator of the Year. - AMD/KBK, GMA News