LETRAN’S Kevin Racal and Far Eastern University’s Roger Pogoy will be feted by the UAAP-NCAA Press Corps in the Collegiate Basketball Awards on Jan. 26 at the Saisaki-Kamayan in Greenhills.
The members of the champion Knights and Tamaraws will receive the Pivotal Player awards from the group of scribes from national dailies and online portals covering the collegiate basketball beat.
Racal led the Knights to the NCAA title and Pogoy the Tamaraws to the UAAP crown, helping their schools end 10-year title droughts.
Racal averaged 20 points in the thrilling finals win by Letran over San Beda in his final stint in the NCAA before being signed by Alaska in the PBA.
The Knight erupted for 28 points in Game One before scoring 23 in the 85-82 overtime victory in the Game Three, helping Letran claim its 17th NCAA crown.
Pogoy, meanwhile, was one of FEU’s most consistent performers in the UAAP finals against University of Santo Tomas, averaging 14.7 points.
The Tamaraws won the school’s 20th UAAP basketball title.
The Pivotal Player award is given to players who made significant impact for their teams in the championship series.
Past winners of the honor include Garvo Lanete, Ryan Buenafe, Dave Marcelo, Kirk Long, Art dela Cruz, Alfred Aroga and Anthony Semerad.
Also receiving awards are FEU coach Nash Racela and Aldin Ayo, the former Letran mentor now with La Salle.
The UAAP-NCAA Press Corps will also recognize other top performers, including the Smart Player of the Year and the Collegiate Mythical Five.