By MARK REY MONTEJO
La Salle’s Kevin Quiambao is poised to hoist his second UAAP MVP plum after leading the Season 87 men’s basketball statistical points race.
In an official tally released by UAAP Thursday, Nov. 28, Quiambao garnered 81.357 points to take the top spot of the 125-man list composed of players from the participating schools.
The 23-year-old versatile had 233 points, 121 rebounds, 57 assists, 14 steals and three blocks in 14 games.
With his feat, the proud son of Muntinlupa is set to join the elite La Sallian club of two-straight MVP winners in
Jun Limpot (1987,1988), Mark Telan (1996,1997), Don Allado (1998,1999), and Ben Mbala (2016, 2017).
Quiambao also etched his name as the first local to get it done next to Ateneo former star Kiefer Ravena in 2014 and 2015 seasons.
The Season 86 Best Player recipient is way ahead of his teammate Mike Phillips (74.929), UP’s JD Cagulangan (69.167), FEU’s Mo Konateh (68.643), and UE’s Precious Momowei (67.538), who hold the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th places, respectively.
Also inside the Top Ten are UST’s Nic Cabanero (61.0), Mo Tounkara (60.154), Forthsky Padrigao (58.714), La Salle’s Joshua David (54.786) and NU’s Jake Figueroa (53.571).
This after Quiambao spearheaded the Green Archers to a 12-2 slate before they enter the semifinal and earned a twice-to-beat advantage.
The Gilas new ace will lead the Archers in the semis against the Adamson Soaring Falcons this Saturday, Nov. 30, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Meanwhile, Ateneo’s Kaycee Dela Rosa is likewise going to annex her straight MVP awards after dominating all department in the women’s competition.
Dela Rosa, 20, tallied 96.826 points – which include 309 points, 224 rebounds, 19 assists, 21 steals and 32 blocks – enough to outshine her elite rivals in the list.
She anchored the Blue Eagles in the preliminaries en route to fourth spot in the standings.
Her numbers was a far cry output from her closest pursuer as UST’s Kent Pastrana only got 79.857 points at
second. Following behind were UP’s Louna Ozar (67.571), and Ateneo’s Junize Calago (67.0) and Sarah Makanjuola (65.786).
