GRACE Irebu is on pace for a second MVP award as she topped the statistical points race after the first round of the UAAP Season 82 women's basketball tournament.
University of Santo Tomas' center from Congo has 95.57 statistical points (SPs) for averaging league-bests 25.6 points and 14.6 rebounds, alongside 1.7 blocks and 1.0 steal.
Irebu's dominance in the paint has been one of the biggest reasons for the Golden Tigresses' rise to the second spot with their 5-2 slate.
Not far behind is Adamson's Mar Prado at 90.14 SPs with 25.0 points, 11.7 boards, 3.7 steals and 2.0 assists for the 4-3 Lady Falcons.
A distant third with 75.57 SPs is National University bruiser Jack Animam, who has led the unbeaten Lady Bulldogs with averages of 15.9 points, 11.3 rebounds, 2.7 dimes, 1.3 steals and 0.7 blocks.
In fourth is NU's Congolese center Rhena Itesi, who got 74.29 SPs after netting 15.1 points, 13.0 boards, 0.9 assists and 0.6 rejections, and FEU center Clare Castro at fifth, who had 71.71 SPs behind her 16.9 points, 10.6 rebounds and 3.7 blocks.
La Salle rookie Kent Pastrana is sixth in the MVP race with 58.86 SPs after averages of 17.0 points, 6.7 rebounds, 2.4 steals and 2.0 assists.
Rounding out the top 10 are Adamson's Kat Araja (54.43 SPs), UE's Jearzy Ganade (52.14 SPs), NU's Angel Surada (52 SPs) and UE's Tin Cortizano (49.14 SPs).
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