Calvin Oftana’s breakout season will be rewarded.
San Beda’s utility forward will be crowned as the NCAA Season 95 Seniors Basketball Most Valuable Player after accumulating 51.56 Player Average Value, built on averages of 15.6 points, 8.2 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 1.2 blocks.
He becomes the eighth Red Lion to win the top individual prize in the Grand Old League after Charles Borck (1936), Arturo Ruis (1940), Caloy Loyzaga (1951, 52), Alberto Reynoso (1959), Antonio Valeriano (1991), Sam Ekwe (2006), and Sudan Daniel (2010).
Joining Oftana in the All-NCAA team are teammates Evan Nelle (45.39 PAV) and James Canlas (45.33). Completing the team are San Sebastian’s Allyn Bulanadi (45.28) and Lyceum’s Jaycee Marcelino (43.94).
Surprisingly, San Beda big man Donald Tankoua should have been the fourth Bedan in the Mythical Team after accumulating 45.28 PAVs. The league, however, decided to award a separate citation for foreign student-athletes. Instead, the Cameroonian will receive the Best Foreign Player plum.
And with the league banning FSAs starting next season, Tankoua will be the first and last recipient of the award unless something changes.
It will be the same for the All-Defensive Team.
Despite leading the league in defensive statistics with 10.79 PAVs, Lyceum’s Mike Nzeusseu will not be part of the team. The All-Defensive Team will be composed of Arellano’s Justin Arana (10.78), Perpetual’s Ben Adamos (10.72), EAC’s JP Maguliano (10.06), Oftana (9.89), and San Sebastian’s JM Calma (9.39).
Nzeusseu, a Cameroonian, will instead receive the Best Defensive Foreign Player commendation.
Arana, a former UST Growling Tiger, will be hailed as the Rookie of the Year (35.5).
Closing out this season’s honor roll is Letran’s Fran Yu, who will be awarded with the Most Improved Player. After ranking 93rd in the PAV race last season, Yu rose to 19th this year.
