UAAP ‘imports’ show way in MVP race

MANILA, Philippines — Santo Tomas super-rookie Soulemane Chabi Yo and Ateneo slotman Angelo Kouame showed the way in the MVP race halfway through the eliminations of the 82nd UAAP men’s basketball tournament.

Despite the Growling Tigers’ late stumble heading into the second round, Chabi Yo still managed to hold a slight advantage over Kouame behind his league-best  averages of 19.9 points and 15.3 rebounds on top of 1.6 assists through seven outings.

This huge double-double average pushed the Beninese freshman on top of the league with 82.71 statistical points (SPs) as Santo Tomas wrapped up the first round at No. 3 with a 4-3 win-loss slate.

Not far behind him is sophomore Kouame, who posted 14.0 markers 13.1 boards and a league-high 4.9 blocks to amass 81.43 SPs and lift the back-to-back champion Eagles to an amazing 7-0 first-round campaign.

The Ivorian center definitely saved his best for last as he chalked up 19 points and 15 rebounds, including seven blocks in Ateneo’s 89-63 mastery of last season’s runner-up UP over the weekend. 

Reigning MVP Bright Akhuetie (69) and Kobe Paras (65.2) are in third and fourth place, respectively, after helping the Maroons stay in second spot with a 5-2 record while UE’s Alex Diakhite (64.83) completed the top five candidates so far.

Also in the top 10 are Rey Suerte (62.29) of UE, Jaime Malonzo (61.5) and Justine Baltazar (58.57) of La Salle, Thirdy Ravena (57.51) of Ateneo and Lenda Douanga (56.86) of Adamson.

Meanwhile, reigning MVP Grace Irebu of Santo Tomas is also leading the race in women’s basketball after registering 25.9 points, 17.4 rebounds and 1.7 blocks to collect 95.57 SPs.

Adamson’s Nathalia Prado (90.14) and NU’s Jack Animam  (75.57) are in second and third spots, respectively, with Rhena Itesi (74.29) and Clare Castro (71.71) of FEU rounding out the top five in the MVP race.