IF the trend holds until the end of the eliminations, three "one-and-done" players will be part of the Mythical Team this UAAP Season 82 men's basketball tournament.
University of the East recruit Rey Suerte, La Salle's Jamie Malonzo, and Adamson's Valandre Chauca are in line for top individual awardees at season's end thanks to their stellar play in their lone UAAP years.
As per UAAP rules, the Mythical Team will be handed out according to the players' listed positions, as has been the practice in past seasons.
Suerte is sitting fifth in the MVP race with 62.29 statistical points (SPs). The two-time CESAFI MVP is the best-placed guard after averaging 17.4 points, 7.7 rebounds, 4.1 assists, 1.1 steals, and 0.6 blocks for the Red Warriors.
Chauca is the next guard on board at 11th with his 50.71 SPs after collecting 15.6 points, 4.0 boards, 3.7 dimes, and 0.6 steals for the Soaring Falcons. The Fil-Peruvian guard is on the outside looking in as he trails a top 10 peppered with centers and forwards.
Malonzo, on the other hand, is a contender for a forward spot with his 61.5 SPs behind averages of 16.3 points, 12.5 rebounds, 1.7 blocks, and 1.0 assist for the Green Archers. The only forward in front of him is the third-ranked Kobe Paras of University of the Philippines.
The UAAP rule limiting the awards per position will also mean only one of the top MVP contenders- Soulemane Chabi Yo of UST, Ange Kouame of Ateneo, last year's MVP Bright Akhuetie of UP, and Alex Diakhite of UE - will make the Mythical Team since all of them are listed as centers.
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.
