Perpetual's Eze cops NCAA MVP plum

MANILA, Philippines – Perpetual Help’s Prince Eze emerged as the runaway MVP of the 94th NCAA basketball tournament even as Lyceum of the Philippines University’s CJ Perez was disqualified from the Mythical Team selection due to the suspension incurred on him for failing to inform the league in writing of his PBA draft application.

Eze was the undisputed MVP after averaging 18.2 rebounds, a league second-best, and league-highs 16.5 rebounds and 3.3 blocks and gaining a Player All-Around Value (PAV) of 61.89, way ahead of second best Letran’s Bong Quinto with 48.83.

The 6-9 Nigerian thus became the second MVP from the Las Pinas-based school after Earl Scottie Thompson, now with the Ginebra in the pros, copped the highest individual award four seasons back.

Perez, the MVP last year, made to the First Mythical Team along with Eze, Quinto and San Beda’s Robert Bolick (48.39) and Javee Mocon (47.89) but was stripped of the plum because of the Game One ban.

Cameroonian Donald Tankoua of San Beda took Perez’s spot with 46.56 PAV.

Eze also ended up with the Defensive Player of the Year award.

Other awardees were Letran’s Larry Muyang (Rookie) and Arellano’s Archie Concepcion (Most Improved).

La Salle-Greenhills’ Joel Cagulangan was named the juniors MVP after garnering 52.24.

AU’s Aaron Fermin actually led all players in PAV with 53.56 but was ineligible for the MVP honor because the Braves failed to make the Final Four.

Interestingly, it was the second straight year that Fermin lost the MVP for the same reason.

Fermin settled for a spot in the Mythical squad that included LSGH’s Inand Fornilos and Joshua David and Mapua’s Clint Escamis.