The Best: Abueva named NCAA Most Valuable Player

InterAKTV/Amer Venancio

Calvin Abueva became the first Most Valuable Player from San Sebastian in eight years as he officially captured the most coveted individual accolade in the NCAA.

The 23-year-old Abueva averaged 21.5 points, 13.6 rebounds and 3.9 assists in 20 games to emerge as the first MVP winner since Leo Najorda in 2003.

Rommel Adducul and Rodney Santos are among the notable recent MVPs from San Sebastian.

Abueva, an Angeles, Pampanga native, said that it wasn’t the offense alone that allowed him to win the MVP award as he concentrated on improving his defense.

“I really made an effort to improve on my defense before the season,” said Abueva, a confessed Robert Jaworski fan, in Pilipino.

Abueva has one year left for San Sebastian but this early, he is being tagged as a possible number one pick in the PBA Draft. But he prefers to take it slow before talking about going pro.

“I still have one year with San Sebastian and I still have to play with NLEX in the D-League. I still need to improve my game before thinking about the PBA,” said Abueva.

Abueva also received the Mythical Five award joining his teammate Ian Sangalang, Kevin Alas of Letran, Garvo Lanete of San Beda and Raymond Almazan of Letran.

Sangalang was also named the Defensive Player of the Year while Almazan received the Most Improved Player award. Joshua Nimes of Mapua captured the Rookie of the Year award.

Follow @interaksyon