ALLEN Liwag capped off a memorable first year with College of St. Benilde by being hailed as MVP of the NCAA Season 100 men's basketball tournament on Saturday.
The Blazers' modern big was the consistent leader for the league's highest individual award from the beginning, finishing with the highest PAV of 52.38 in 18 games, as he steered the green-and-white back to the finals opposite Mapua.
"Nung lumipat ako sa Benilde, sinabi ko sa sarili ko na gagawin ko ang lahat para sa school. Sobrang grateful lang ako sa award na ito," said Liwag, who had to undergo one-year residency before he got to play for the La Salle school where he transferred after suiting up for two seasons with Emilio Aguinaldo College.
"Nagpapasalamat ako kay Lord sa blessing na ito at saka sa teammates ko dahil hindi ko naman ito makukuha nang hindi dahil sa kanila. Sila ang dahilang kung bakit ko nakuha and award na ito," he added. "'Tsaka siyempre, sa mga coaches ko (na) sobra ang tiwala sa akin. Binabalik ko lang sa kanila yung tiwala nila sa akin."
Liwag, who averaged 14.0 points and a league-best 11.0 rebounds, also offered the MVP award to his family and 'Barangay Liwag,' his loud and proud supporters who have been present in games right from the start of the season.
He received P50,000 cash as MVP courtesy of EO Executive Optical.
The Benilde star as also adjudged as Defensive Player of the Year, member of the Mythical Team, and part of the All-Defensive Team - a testament at how dominant he was in the league's centennial season.
At the MVP's flanks
Liwag was joined in the Mythical Team by teammate Tony Ynot, John 'Ato' Barba (Lyceum), DJ Felebrico (San Sebastian), and Season 99 MVP Clint Escamis (Mapua).
In the All-Defensive Team alongside Liwag and Felebrico were Wilmar Oftana (EAC), Lorenz Capulong (Arellano), and Kevin Santos (Letran).
Meanwhile, Capulong was recognized as Most Improved Player, while the Cardinals' Chris Hubilla was both Rookie of the Year and Freshman of the Year.
San Sebastian, meanwhile, was the recipient of the Sportsmanship of the Year award.
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