AN eventful first round of the eliminations of Season 82 of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines came to an end on Sunday and on its heels the league released the partial results of the most valuable player race with University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers’ Soulemane Chabi Yo and Ateneo Blue Eagles’ Angelo Kouame leading the pack.
Beninese Chabi Yo, in his first year playing for UST, has piled up 82.71 statistical points midway into the ongoing tournament, followed closely by second-year player Kouame with 81.43 SPs.
Averaging 19.9 points and 15.3 rebounds, Chabi Yo has helped the Tigers to a position to compete despite having one of the younger squads in the league.
UST is currently at third place in the standings with a 4-3 record.
Kouame, last year’s rookie of the year, continues to make waves in the UAAP.
He has been rock solid for the defending champions Eagles on both ends of the court, averaging 14 points, 13.1 rebounds and a league-high 4.7 blocks per contest.
Kouame’s stellar play has been one of the key reasons why Ateneo is still undefeated in seven games to date and primed for a third straight UAAP title.
Third in the race is reigning MVP Bright Akhuetie (69 SPs) of the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons (5-2), riding on the strength of averages of 14.6 points and 12 boards.
Akhuetie’s teammate Kobe Paras (18.6 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 1.4 apg, and 1.4 bpg) is fourth in the running with 65.2 SPs and University of the East Red Warriors’ Alex Diakhite (15.3 ppg, 12.7 rpg and 1.7 bpg) at fifth with 64.83 SPs.
Rounding out the top 10 are UE’s Rey Suerte (62.29 SPs), La Salle’s Jamie Malonzo (61.5 SPs) and Justine Baltazar (58.57 SPs), Ateneo’s Thirdy Ravena (57.71SPs) and Adamson’s Lenda Douanga (56.86 SPs). — Michael Angelo S. Murillo
