Romeo dethrones Parks as UAAP King

MANILA, Philippines – The UAAP Men’s Basketball has a new king.

Far Eastern University’s combo guard Terrence Romeo bagged the Season 76 Most Valuable Player plum as he topped the league with highest statistical points (SPs), dethroning back-to-back MVP Bobby Ray Parks Jr.

Romeo produced 75.29 SPs, 1.43 higher than Parks who had 73.86 to claim the top individual award following the footsteps of his teammate RR Garcia (2010) and former King Tamaraw and two-time MVP Arwind Santos (2004-2005).

The 2010 rookie of the year had the most points in the league with 311 markers, along with 88 rebounds, 55 assists, 22 steals, and a block in 14 games to finish the double round eliminations with an average of 22.2 points, 6.3 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 1.6 steals.

National University star player Parks, whose team is scheduled to face University of Santo Tomas on Sunday for the Final Four, settled for the Mythical Five award with a total of 256 points, 118 rebounds, 53 assists, 15 steals, 15 blocks.

African center Karim Abdul of Growling Tigers also made it to the list, along with Roi Sumang of University of the East, and Bulldog Emmanuel Mbe with total SPs of 70.9, 64, and 63.6, in that order.

Red Warrior burly center Charles Mammie actually placed second in the MVP race with 75 SPs, but failed to make it to the Mythical Five after his suspension.

According to the league rules, any player who served a suspension is disqualified from getting any individual awards.

Romeo, only the third guard to win the award following Garcia and PBA legend Johnny Abarrientos, highlighted his MVP run in the eliminations with a back-to-back 30-point game against Adamson University and University of the Philippines.

He posted his collegiate career-high with 33 points in the Tamaraws triumph against the Fighting Maroons, 87-69.

Read: Brand new Romeo finally learns to share the ball

Romeo set a record in the Juniors division while playing for the FEU Baby Tamaraws as he exploded for 83 markers in their lopsided match against UP Integrated System, 104-55, in 2009.

It was just in 2010 that the league decided to base the individual awards on SPs.

Romeo will formally receive the honor during the awarding ceremonies that will take place in the game two of the Finals.