The final day of the UAAP Season 88 Collegiate Men’s Basketball Tournament elimination round had more than just the last Final Four berth on the line — the regular season Most Valuable Player award was up for grabs as well.
Entering Wednesday’s games, the top three contenders — University of Santo Tomas’ Collins Akowe, De La Salle University’s Mike Phillips, and Far Eastern University’s Janrey Pasaol — were all in action.
Akowe led the field with 82.231 SPs, followed closely by Phillips with 79.231 and Pasaol with 79.154.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
National University’s Jake Figueroa had held the lead for most of the second round. But he was out of contention after posting just three points, two rebounds, two assists, one steal, and one block in their 71–80 loss to UST last Sunday, settling at fourth with 77.286 SPs.
What unfolded on the final day was a complete shake-up in the MVP race.
Pasaol delivered 13 points, 11 assists, six rebounds, and five steals in FEU’s 81–79 escape over the Growling Tigers. Meanwhile, Akowe was limited to nine points, nine rebounds, one assist, and one steal.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
In the final game of the round, Phillips powered La Salle to a 78–72 victory over Ateneo with 13 points, 16 rebounds, four assists, and two steals.
When the numbers settled, Pasaol emerged as the new MVP with 81.5 SPs — becoming the first Tamaraw to win the award since Terrence Romeo in Season 76.
Phillips finished second with 80.429 SPs, while Akowe placed third with 79.286 SPs.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Joining Pasaol, Phillips, Akowe, and Figueroa in this season’s Elite Team is UST’s Nic Cabanero, who tallied 66.643 SPs.
UE’s Precious Momowei and FEU’s Mo Konateh placed fifth and sixth with 75.214 and 74.786 SPs, respectively, but only one foreign student-athlete may be included in the Elite Team.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Akowe, the UAAP Season 86 Boys’ Basketball MVP and Season 87 Best FSA, will also be crowned Rookie of the Year.
Since a foreign student-athlete did not top the statistical points race, there will be no Best FSA winner this season.
