CAN Reinhard Jumamoy be the second National U player to cop UAAP MVP honors?
If he keeps up his pace, that might just be the case, as he is currently the leader in the UAAP Season 89 men's basketball MVP race after the first round - according to SPIN.ph's unofficial computations.
The do-it-all Cebuano guard has been magnificent in being the top dog for the Bulldogs, collecting 72.714 Statistical Points (SPs) with his averages of 13.3 points, 6.0 rebounds, 5.1 assists, and 1.1 steals through the first seven games.
Jumamoy, a former UAAP Juniors MVP as well, is looking to follow the footsteps of Ray Parks Jr. who won back-to-back plums in Seasons 74 and 75.
Trailing him for the top individual award is is University of Santo Tomas gunner Amiel Acido with 68.714 SPs courtesy of his 15.9 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 4.0 assists.
NU banger PJ Palacielo is at third with 66.286 SPs in logging 12.0 points, 6.3 boards, and 4.4 assists; UST skipper Mark Llemit is at fourth with 66.0 SPs thanks to his 14.7 points, 7.3 rebounds, 2.4 dimes, and 1.1 steals; and Far Eastern University rising star Kirby Mongcopa is at fifth with 65.0 SPs with his 14.4 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 3.1 assists.
Best FSA race
The race for the Best Foreign Student-Athlete award is just as intense, with Tamaraw Mo Konateh and Growling Tiger Collins Akowe neck-and-neck for the prize.
The Gambian Konateh actually topped the SP race at 78.429 after notching 13.9 points, 11.1 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 2.6 blocks, and 1.7 steals.
Not far behind is Nigerian Akowe who has 74.857 SPs behind his 15.3 points, a league-best 13.7 rebounds, 2.1 dimes, and 1.9 rejections.
Only the top FSA will be eligible to make it to the Elite Team at the end of the season.
Also making a case for the end-of-season awards are Adamson's Mathew Montebon with 60.571 SPs (12.1 points, 3.7 assists, 2.7 rebounds, and 2.1 steals); the University of the Philippines' Veejay Pre with 60.143 SPs (12.9 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 2.6 assists); and Ateneo's Kieffer Alas with 59.143 SPs (14.4 points, 4.6 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 1.6 steals).
Alas, who ranks 10th in the SP race, is also the favorite to win the Rookie of the Year honors.
Chasing him for the award are FEU's Cabs Cabonilas with 48.0 SPs and La Salle's Joaquin Tovera with 40.429 SPs.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
