By MARK REY MONTEJO
Far Eastern University may have fallen short of its Final Four bid, but it can take pride that one of its key players in Janrey Pasaol has emerged as the frontrunner for the coveted Most Valuable Player award in the UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball tournament.
This developed after the crafty guard took the pole position in the latest statistical points (SPs) race on Thursday, Nov. 27, after posting 81.5 SPs that composed of 216 points, 58 rebounds, 105 assists, six blocks, and 30 steals in 14 games.
If the results hold, the 5-foot-11 playmaker would become the eighth Tamaraw to capture the league’s most coveted individual award, joining school greats Joselino Roa (1961), Anthony Williams (1981), Glenn Capacio (1983), Johnny Abarrientos (1991), Arwind Santos (2004, ’05), RR Garcia (2010), and Terrence Romeo (2013).
A great boost for FEU’s future after it recently flashed its capabilities in the latter part of the season where the Tamaraws turned a 2-5 slate to a respectable 7-7 card aftert stringing up three wins to conclude their campaign.
With La Salle pulling off a gritty 78-72 win against archrival Ateneo on Wednesday, the door for a three-way playoff was shut for the Blue Eagles and Tamaraws.
The win secured for the Archers the No. 4 spot with an 8-6 mark.
“Sobrang saya kasi nagbunga ‘yung lahat ng paghihirap namin nitong second round pati ng buong season,” said Pasaol as FEU notched a 81-79 escape over semifinal-bound University of Santo Tomas.
Janrey, a sophomore guard whose older brother is pro Alvin, displayed his prowess every game as he averaged 15.4 points, 4.1 rebounds, 7.5 assists, and 2.1 steals per contest.
Running second is La Salle skipper Mike Phillips (80.429) followed by UST’s Collins Akowe (79.286), National University’s Jake Figueroa (77.286), and University of the East’s Precious Momowei (75.214) in the Top 5.
His teammate Mo Konateh (74.786), UST’s Nic Cabañero (66.643), UE’s John Abate (63.8), FEU’s Kirby Mongcopa (63.643), and University of the Philippines’ Francis Nnoruka (62.071) rounded out the Top 10.
Meanwhile in the women’s division, NU’s Karl Ann Pingol looked set to spoil Ateneo star Kacey Dela Rosa’s third straight MVP honors as she spearheaded the list in the distaff side.
Pingol registered 93.571 statistical points, ahead of back-to-back holder Dela Rosa (91.429), UST’s Kent Pastrana (86.643), and her teammates Kristine Cayabyab (73.571), and Angel Surada (71.714).
Dela Rosa and the Blue Eagles will collide with the Adamson Lady Falcons in the steppladder with the winner earning the right to face Pingol and the Lady Bulldogs.
Meanwhile, the Pastrana-led Tigresses are already in the Finals after sweeping the elimination round.
