MVP RACE LEADER. National University Nazareth School center Collins Akowe scores a dunk during the game against De La Salle-Zobel in the first round of the UAAP Season 86 high school boys’ basketball tournament last year. The Nigerian is leading the race for the Most Valuable Player award. (UAAP photo)
MANILA – National University Nazareth School center Collins Akowe is leading the Most Valuable Player (MVP) race in the UAAP Season 86 high school boys’ basketball tournament.
The 6-foot-1 Nigerian, who is in Grade 11, has accumulated 101.0 statistical points (SP), averaging 17.71 points, 21.86 rebounds, 3.0 blocks, and 1.86 assists per game.
Bannered by the 18-year-old Akowe, the Bullpups are at No. 2 in the standings with a 5-1 record, behind the unbeaten Adamson Baby Falcons.
De La Salle-Zobel forward Kieffer Alas ranked second with 91.0 SP.
The Grade 10 Alas, a mythical team member in the 2023 FIBA Under-16 Asian Championship, averages 21.43 points, 11.0 rebounds, 4.86 assists, and 1.29 steals per game.
Also in the Top 5 are Ateneo High School’s Kristian Porter (89.857 SP), University of the Philippines Integrated School’s Daryl Valdeavilla (89.714), and University of Santo Tomas’ Andrei Dungo (70.571).
The Grade 12 Porter averages 17.71 points, 16.14 rebounds, 2.57 steals, and 1.57 assists per game.
Valdeavilla is averaging 26.14 points, 5.71 rebounds, 4.0 assists, and 3.0 steals per outing while Dungo, a transferee from San Beda Taytay, is averaging 11.14 points, 8.29 rebounds, 4.0 assists, and 2.14 steals per game.
Meanwhile, Adamson (7-0) will face UST (4-3) at 3 p.m. when the league's second round resume on Sunday at the Filoil Ecooil Centre.
Other matches pit La Salle-Zobel (2-5) against University of the East (3-4) at 9 a.m., UPIS (0-7) against Ateneo (3-4) at 11 a.m. and NUNS against Far Eastern University-Diliman (4-3) at 1 p.m. (PNA)
