UAAP Season 75 awards
We are at most two games away from the conclusion of the 75th UAAP men’s basketball tournament, one filled with drama, excitement and controversies. And though we still have to wait a couple more days to determine who will be champions of this season’s cage wars, let us recognize the best individual performers who dazzled us with their brilliant play in the past three months.
Most Valuable Player
Bobby Ray Parks
21.4 points, 7.2 rebounds, 4.4 assists, 1.5 steals, 1.3 blocks, 3.9 turnovers
39.4% FG shooting, 77.8% FT shooting
There could be no question as to who the Most Valuable Player is this year. While Karim Abdul turned in solid numbers for University of Santo Tomas, he didn’t have to shoulder as big a burden as Bobby Ray Parks did for National University.
Parks had the weight of expectations on his shoulder, with the Bulldogs being one of the preseason favorites and this season’s host. And after a shaky first round, NU bounced back to score thrilling win after win, chalking up a total of nine Ws to get into the Final Four for the first time in 11 years.
Whether he returns for another tour of duty in the UAAP remains to be seen. But Parks, in only two years in the league, has cemented his legacy as one of the most explosive wingmen to ever set foot in the collegiate ranks.
Rookie of the Year
Jeron Teng
16.6 points, 6.9 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 0.1 steals, 0.4 blocks, 2.4 turnovers
39.5% FG shooting, 56.7% FT shooting
Jeron Teng came into the league as a highly-touted scorer who once dropped 104 points in a single high school game. And the De La Salle University rookie proved that he can bring his offensive juggernaut one step higher by terrorizing defenses in the UAAP.
Teng was virtually instant offense for the Green Archers and fortunately for the Taft faithful, has shown the propensity to take over when it mattered. He’s hit some clutch shots and though Teng has flubbed a few big baskets (and a lot of free-throws), the future looks bright for this super rookie.
Most Improved Player
Roi Sumang
18.4 points, 5.0 rebounds, 4.9 assists, 1.4 steals, 0.4 blocks, 3.4 turnovers
40.4% FG shooting, 78.9% FT shooting
We all knew that Roi Sumang was good. But after a rough rookie year, we never thought that he is this good.
Now free from the knee injury that bothered him for most of last season, Sumang showed the world his speed, skill and will, most of the time singlehandedly carrying University of the East in his back.
Sumang (5.2 points, 3.4 rebounds, 2.8 assists in Season 74) was a blur on offense and a pest on defense, relentless on the attack and unforgiving when locking down. He may be on a bad team, but the Red Warriors are damn lucky they have this speedster on their side.
Sixth Man of the Year (tied)
Almond Vosotros
10.4 points, 2.5 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 0.7 steals, 1.4 turnovers
37.6% FG shooting, 85.7% FT shooting
Almond Vosotros struggled in the first round, with Coach Gee Abanilla still tinkering with his rotation and Vosotros seemingly leaving his shot in high school.
But when the second round came, Vosotros heated up and morphed into “Voso-tres,” that deadly three-point assassin who loved to operate from beyond the arc.
Vosotros’ accuracy from deep territory propelled La Salle to a number of victories, aiding them as they charged into the Final Four after missing the bus last year.
Ryan Buenafe
6.0 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 0.4 steals, 0.4 blocks, 1.9 turnovers
33.3% FG shooting, 75.0% FT shooting
The former go-to guy has successfully transformed into a potent weapon off the bench and that has greatly helped Ateneo de Manila University in its Drive for Five.
Buenafe was the anchor of the Blue Eagles’ second unit, a master of not only looking for his shot, but also creating for others. He was a matchup problem for most teams and gave Ateneo different looks on offense because of his playmaking skills.
Though he still chucks and bricks three-pointers, Buenafe knows when to hit it – in the clutch – and that makes him one of the most special players in the UAAP.
