Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 22) – Letran Knights standout Rhenz Abando asserted his reign as the top cager in NCAA Season 97 after winning the two major individual performance awards.
Abando was named as the Most Valuable Player and Rookie of the Year in a ceremony held on Sunday at the Filoil Flying V Centre before the Game 2 of the NCAA Season 97 finals between his school Colegio De San Juan De Letran and Mapua University.
The La Union native averaged 15.73 points, 6.36 rebounds, 1.73 assists and 1.27 blocks in his first season with the Knights after his controversial transfer from University of Santo Tomas.
Abando is the first player to win the MVP and Rookie of the Year awards in one season since Mapua’s Allwell Oraeme in 2015.
The 6-foot-2 small forward is also the first Letran Knight to bag the MVP award since Raymond Almazan in 2013.
Abando is also part of the Mythical Five along with teammate Jeo Ambohot, Defensive Player of the Year awardee Justin Arana of Arellano University, Will Gozum of College of St. Benilde, and JM Calma of San Sebastian College-Recoletos.
Mapua’s Paolo Hernandez bagged the Most Improved Player award.
Arana, Ambohot, Gozum, Calma, Lyceum’s Omar Larupay, and Emilio Aguinaldo College’s Nat Cosejo complete the Best Defensive Team.
