De La Salle University’s Kevin Quiambao is on course to claim back-to-back Most Valuable Player crowns after a stellar performance in the first round of the UAAP Season 87 Men’s Basketball Tournament.
The reigning MVP currently leads the race with an impressive 87.571 statistical points, with his averages of 16.43 points, 8.86 rebounds, 5.43 assists, and 1.29 steals while leading the Green Archers to the top of the table with a 6-1 record.
Trailing Quiambao is University of the Philippines guard JD Cagulangan, who holds 77 statistical points despite only playing five games.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Cagulangan’s court vision and playmaking have been vital for UP, as evidenced by his 6.0 assist and 4.4 rebound counts to go with his 13.4 points.
He is credited with five of the Fighting Maroons’ six wins to end the round.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Fellow La Salle big man Mike Phillips ranks third with 72.143 statistical points.
Known for his dominance in the paint, the 6-foot-8 Phillips has racked up 81 rebounds and 12 blocks to go along with 70 points across seven games.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Also making waves is University of the East standout Precious Momowei, who has accumulated 68.286 statistical points.
Momowei has been a rebounding machine for UE, grabbing 93 boards to complement his 81 points and 14 assists.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
FEU’s Mohamed Konateh rounds out the top five, with 63.571 statistical points.
Konateh leads the league in rebounds with 113 and has added 17 blocks, establishing himself as a defensive anchor for the Tamaraws.
With Konteh and Momowei both classified as foreign student-athletes, only Momowei is in line to make it to the mythical team.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Other student-athletes in the top ten include UST’s Forthsky Padrigao (62.429), Mo Tounkara (60.0), and Nic Cabanero (55.857), La Salle’s Joshua David (55.857), and UP’s Quentin Millora-Brown (54.714).
