WILL there be a first-ever Best Foreign Student-Athlete (FSA) awardee in the seniors’ division?
That’s the question to be answered, as the UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball tournament enters a crucial juncture in the homestretch of the eliminations.
University of Santo Tomas center Collins Akowe has seized pole position in the statistical points (SPs) race at 82.8 after posting impressive numbers of 17.9 points, 15.1 rebounds, 1.7 blocks, and 1.3 assists in the 10 games he has played.
But remember, the Best FSA trophy will only come into play if an FSA finishes first in the MVP race.
And right now, it’s a tight contest up top.
National U star Jake Figueroa is the provisional MVP leader with his 81.818 SPs in showing the way for the league-leading Bulldogs.
However, the other players in the top five still have four games left in their schedule, unlike Figueroa’s NU which already played in 11 following its 66-65 escape of Adamson on Saturday.
Breathing down his neck are first round pacesetter Mike Phillips of La Salle with 81.3 SPs and Far Eastern U guard Janrey Pasaol with 80.7 SPs.
Mo Konateh of FEU, with his 77.4 SPs, and Precious Momowei of University of the East, with his 75.636 SPs, occupy the fifth and sixth spots, but will need a lot to cover the ground Akowe already seized to snare the FSA spot.
That means the race for the last seat in the Mythical Team is the next one to watch, with that fifth slot currently occupied by UST swingman Nic Cabanero with 66.8 SPs, while chasing him for that elusive honor are UE scorer John Abate (63.8 SPs) and Ateneo wing Dom Escobar (63.5 SPs).
Collins is runaway Rookie of the Year
Where Akowe is undisputedly favored, though, is the Rookie of the Year honors, as he’s head and shoulders ahead of his closest pursuers, namely FEU forward Kirby Mongcopa, who ranks 10th in the race with 61.3 SPs and Ateneo big man Divine Adili, who’s 19th with 50.429 SPs.
In the women’s division, Karl Ann Pingol has overtaken reigning two-time MVP Kacey dela Rosa in what is shaping up to be another tight contest for the MVP race.
The Lady Bulldogs forward amassed 95.091 SPs through 11 games, as she seeks to break dela Rosa’s streak and become the first NU player to be hailed top dog since Jack Animam in Season 80 back in 2017.
But the Blue Eagles bruiser won’t give up her trophy without a fight, as she’s still at second place with 94.9 SPs and with one more game left in her elimination schedule for Ateneo.
UST playmaker Kent Pastrana is at third with 79.9 SPs, followed by NU’s Tin Cayabyab (74.909 SPs) and Angel Surada (72.273 SPs) to round out the top five.
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