ZANE Kallos of Ateneo de Manila University was named the first-ever regular Most Valuable Player of the UAAP Junior High School Boys’ Basketball Tournament on Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The awarding ceremony was held prior to Game Two of the Finals, where University of Santo Tomas leads the series against top seed University of the East, 1-0.
Despite Ateneo finishing sixth in the standings with a 5-9 record, Kalos, a 6-foot winger delivered, averaging 18.46 points, 13.23 rebounds, 5.15 assists, 1.92 steals, and 0.46 blocks per game to amass a league-best 95.308 statistical points.
“Para sa akin, sobrang saya at grateful ako sa coaches ko kasi binigyan nila ako ng trust at support, tsaka lalo na sa mga teammates ko dahil lagi nila ako pinupush to be the best player I can be,” said the 16-year-old Zane, who is the son of former San Sebastian head coach John Kallos.
The 13 games he played this season cemented his status as the league’s most dominant player, even though he missed Ateneo’s final game.
Kallos now joins an elite group of Ateneo high school MVPs, including Larry Fonacier, Ken Barracoso, Bacon Austria, Thirdy Ravena, Mike Nieto, and Kai Sotto.
Last season’s MVP, Shaun Lucido, who now plays for National University-Nazareth School’s 19-and-under team, was the inaugural winner of this award.
Kallos hopes to secure a spot in Ateneo High School’s 19-and-under team, with the UAAP High School Boys’ Basketball Tournament set to tip off on January 18, 2025.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Joining Kallos on the Mythical Team are UST Tiger Cubs standouts Andwele Cabanero and Jhon Canapi, along with UPIS Fighting Maroons’ Bruce Tubongbanua and Jhustin Hallare.
The Tiger Cubs had an impressive season, finishing as the third seed and making it to the Final Four.
Cabanero displayed exceptional versatility, averaging 16.86 points, 9.43 rebounds, 5.5 assists, 1.79 steals, and 0.14 blocks per game for 88.5 statistical points.
Cabanero’s teammate, Canapi, was a scoring and defensive powerhouse, averaging 23.86 points, 6.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 2.43 steals, and 0.07 blocks per game for 86.929 statistical points.
Despite a winless 0-14 season, the UPIS Fighting Maroons produced two Mythical Team members in Tubongbanua and Hallare.
Tubongbanua averaged 20.14 points, 13.5 rebounds, 2.86 assists, 2.43 steals, and 0.57 blocks per game, earning 85.5 statistical points.
Hallare, meanwhile, stood out as a prolific scorer, posting averages of 25.5 points, 8.71 rebounds, 3.64 assists, 1.36 steals, and 0.29 blocks for 82.714 statistical points.
