King Caralipio showed just what the recipe is for an MVP: hard work and patience.
The 25-year-old lefty forward was hailed the NCAA Season 98 Finals MVP after helping steer Colegio de San Juan de Letran to its third straight title after pulling off an 81-67 Game 3 win over De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde in the Finals.
For Letran head coach Bonnie Tan, Caralipio was made for this moment.
"Ano naman 'yan eh, alam naman ni King na dati, when he started with the team talaga 'yung playing time niya, very limited. Lalo na noong last year na andito sa atin 'yung rookie-MVP natin," Tan said.
"Pero parating matiyaga naman 'to eh, and alam namin kung anong binibigay nito sa loob ng court because of 'yung hard work niya."
In the very last game in his collegiate career, Caralipio poured everything on the floor as he finished with a double-double of 20 points and 10 rebounds to go along with two assists as the Knights captured a rare three-peat gem.
Prior to this another breakout game, Caralipio was also named to the Season 98 Mythical Five to cap off what has been a stellar run for him in Muralla.
"Walang malas doon sa hard work and sa pasensiya. I'm happy for King, playing his last season niya, nag-Finals MVP pa."
Caralipio, for his part, was just speechless after the win as they gave Letran its second three-peat following what Samboy Lim-led Letran achieved from 1982 to 1984.
"Hindi ko alam kung paano ko sasabihin eh. Sobrang sarap po, sobrang blessed na nakuha namin dito 'yung championship."
—JMB, GMA Integrated News
