Many were surprised when King Caralipio was named to the All-NCAA Season 98 team.
This despite Caralipio putting up numbers of 11.0 points, 8.94 rebounds, and 1.59 assists per game.
But in the Finals, the 24-year-old made sure to make one last good impression before he enters the PBA Draft.
In the finals, the 6-foot-2 winger put up numbers of 15.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 2.0 assists to win Finals MVP.
And Knights head coach Bonnie Tan was the least surprised with the production Caralipio put up this season.
“Alam naman ni King na when he started with the team talagang yung playing time niya is very limited. Lalo na yung last year nung nandito [samin] yung rookie MVP [namin],” said Tan, referring to Rhenz Abando.
“Palaging matyaga naman to e, and alam namin na kung ano yung binibigay neto sa loob ng court is because of yung hard work niya,” he continued as despite being limited to 14 minutes per game in his penultimate year, Caralipio continued to put in the work.
“I’m happy for King, he’s playing his last season niya na nag-Finals MVP pa.”
In the game of no tomorrow last Sunday, Caralipio put up a Herculean line of 20 points on 7-of-10 shooting with 10 rebounds.
His production in the second quarter was pivotal in the Knights’ breakaway against the Blazers.
“Wala na po e. Last laro ko na ito, gragraduate na ko kaya binuhos ko na lahat ng kaya ko para makuha itong championship,” he said.
Now that he has ended his collegiate run, Caralipio looks to continue putting in the work for the next stage of his journey — the PBA.
“Di ko alam kung paano sasabihin. Sobrang sarap po and blessed na nakuha ulit namin yung championship.”
