SHAABAA honors outstanding performers of The Avenir Cup

CEBU, Philippines - The highly successful 19th season of the Sacred Heart Ateneo Alumni Basketball Athletic Association formally came to a close with a simple, yet memorable ceremony highlighted by the awarding of the top achievers of The Avenir Cup last Saturday night at the Basic Bar and Restaurant in Banilad, Cebu City.

Leigh Dixon of the Insular Square Titans, Theogene Lim of Chick@Phil 89 and Cecilo Gillamac Jr. of the Division B champions RDAK Transporters bannered the elite list of outstanding performers.

Dixon romped off with the regular season MVP trophy in Division A that earned him a spot in the Mythical Five alongside Jeremy Ryan Huang and Justin Ross Huang of Division A titlist Goldberry Iloilo Hotel, Jair Igna of the RDAK Stallions, and Gabriel Arc Araw-Araw of Gaisano Capital.

Dixon also came out as the league's leader in blocks and rebounds that made him the hands-down choice as Defensive Player of the Year.

Justin Ross Huang and Jair Igna also had their fair share of the spotlight. Huang, the Finals MVP, was feted as scoring champion in Division A, while Igna, the Rookie of the Year, topped the steals department.

The other honorees in Division A were Kyle Valmoria of the Cebu Landmasters (assist), and Jazper Diaz of Insular Square (All-Star MVP).

In Division B, Theogene Lim was cited as the regular season MVP, while Gillamac grabbed the Finals MVP plum. Gillamac, who lorded it over in steals, also formed part of the Mythical Five together with his RDAK teammate Charleson Sia, Valiant Ngo and Mark Ong of Belo Men, and Sergs Go Bui of Echo Appliance.

Sergs Go Bui, the All-Star MVP, snared the Division B scoring title, even as he also dominated in assists. PJ Llaban of Shakeys was the best in blocks, while Anthony Ngujo of RDAK came out as the rebounding leader.

Christopher Chua of the RDAK Transporters was the Defensive Player of the Year, while Rodney Uy of Echo Appliance took home the top rookier honors.

During the awards night, incumbent SHAABAA President Franco Soberano promised a bigger, grander and more exciting season next year. — (FREEMAN)