'The Beast' named 87th season best

MANILA, Philippines - For putting up a monster performance all season long, San Sebastian’s Calvin “The Beast” Abueva was rightfully adjudged Most Valuable Player of the 87th NCAA seniors basketball tournament.

“I’m happy to win this MVP, which is a fruit of all my hard work. But I’d be a lot happier if we become champions again,” the 6-4 Abueva, clad in a statement shirt “BASTA BASTE BEAST” when he received the top individual plum yesterday, said in Filipino.

Abueva finished in double figures in scoring and rebounding 18 times this season, averaging a league-best 21.5 points and 13.6 rebounds to go with 3.9 assists in 20 outings. 

The pride of Angeles, Pampanga thanked his teammates for helping him post those double-double outputs, saying he also relies on them.

Joining Abueva in the Mythical Five were fellow Stag Ian Sangalang, Letran’s Kevin Alas and Raymond Almazan, and San Beda’s Garvo Lanete. Mapua’s Josan Nimes copped the rookie honors.

Sangalang also had twin figure averages (18.6 markers and 11.4 caroms) plus 2.4 blocks, earning Defensive Player of the Year plum, too.

Alas, who will attend a six-week training camp with ABA club LA Slam next month, posted 17.5 points, 5.4 assists, league-best 1.9 steal norms while teammate Almazan, the Most Improved Player awardee, averaged 9.8 caroms and a league-topping 2.6 blocks.

Lanete stood at the forefront of San Beda’s sixth straight finals appearance with 18.6-point, 4.9-rebound and 2.2-assist averages.

Letran’s Rey Nambatac won MVP honors in the juniors division, norming 14.9 points, 11.1 rebounds and 4.9 assists for the Squires, who placed third.

Nambatac towed teammates Ivan Villanueva and Aldrin Serafica, EAC’s Sidney Onwubere, and San Beda’s Von Abatayo to the Mythical Five.