UAAP: UST’s Poyos, Ybañez lead MVP race halfway through Season 88

Metro Manila, Philippines – Angge Poyos and Josh Ybañez of the University of Santo Tomas (UST) are the frontrunners for the UAAP Season 88 Most Valuable Player (MVP) awards in the women’s and men’s volleyball tournament after the first round. 

Poyos, the Season 86 Rookie of the Year, has accumulated 156.22 statistical points through seven games ahead of Adamson University’s Shaina Nitura with 147.200 statistical points and De La Salle University’s Angel Canino with 142.800 statistical points.

Poyos ranks third in scoring so far, tallying 111 points on 95 spikes, 12 blocks, and four service aces, while leading UST to four victories for a three-way tie in the standings with Adamson and Far Eastern University (FEU). 

Rounding up the top five in the MVP race of the women’s division are Adamson’s Nigerian open spiker Frances Mordi with 139.200 statistical points and FEU’s Gerzel Petallo with 137.500 statistical points.

In the men’s side, Ybañez is on track to win his third MVP award with 158.000 statistical points.

Ybañez had 121 points in the first round with 110 spikes, seven aces, and four blocks, ranking third in the league and helping UST achieve a 5-2 win-loss record for a tie at the second spot in the standings with National University (NU).

The NU duo of Michaelo Buddin and Leo Ordiales are close behind with 153.750 and 152.083 statistical points, respectively.

Ybañez, Buddin, and Oridiales all play for the men’s national team, Alas Pilipinas.

Dryx Saavedra (127.083 statistical points) and Mikko Espartero (124.583 statistical points) of Far Eastern University are in fourth and fifth place, respectively.