2-time MVP Mbala out to stop Eagles

MANILA, Philippines — La Salle’s Ben Mbala gets his due recognition as the UAAP Season 80 men’s basketball tourney’s Most Valuable Player today.

And the Cameroonian is intent on preventing a second awarding ceremonies later in the day, one that rival championship-chasing Ateneo envisions for itself.

“The (MVP) awarding ceremony is just a formality now. We all knew about it already,” said the now two-time MVP. “We will go out there and prepare for our game.”

It’s not an ordinary game, of course. La Salle’s reign is under siege from a gutsy Ateneo side which could seal the Archers’ doom with a followup to its 76-70 victory in Game One.

Mbala romped off with his second straight MVP plum after amassing 96.58 statistical points – the sole basis for determining awardees – built around averages of 21 points (No. 1 in the league), 13.1 rebounds (No. 2), 2.7 blocks (No. 2), 1.3 steal (No. 6) in the elims.

The 6-foot-8 center is joined in the Mythical Five by Ateneo’s Thirdy Ravena (66.50 SPs) and University of the East’s Alvin Pasaol (63.43 SPs) at forward positions, and National U’s Jayjay Alejandro (63.86 SPs) and DLSU teammate Ricci Rivero (56.29 SPs) at guard.

University of the Philippines’ Juan Gomez de Liano will be bestowed the Rookie of the Year honors.

The women’s division’s top performers led by MVP Jack Danielle Animam of unbeaten National U also basks in glory today.

Center Animam tallied 77.29 SPs to edge UE guard Love Sto. Domingo (71.14).

With the duo in the Mythical Five are NU’s Rhena Itesi (71.14) and Ria Nabalan (69.00), and Santo Tomas’ Sai Larosa (61.00 SPs).

Another UP player, Marian Justine Domingo, takes ROY honors.