College of Saint Benilde-La Salle Green Hills big man Luis Pablo has been hailed as the Most Valuable Player of the NCAA Season 98 juniors basketball tournament after leading his school back to the finals round for the first time since Season 94.
The 18-year-old Pablo finished with 52.00 PAV (player average value) to also complete the Mythical Five alongside Lyceum's Matthew Rubico (55.56), and Perpetual's Amiel Acido (51.78), and his LSGH teammate Seven Gagate (50.78). Letran's Andy Gemao and San Beda's Chris Hubilla were both included on the list after a tied PAV of 49.78.
Rubico posted the highest PAV, but was edged from the prestigious award by Pablo as the Junior Pirates failed to make the Final Four. Rubico, however, was named the Rookie of the Year for his outstanding performance for Lyceum in their Season 98 campaign, where he even dropped 43 points in a single game.
Pablo's towering frontcourt partner Gagate was given the Most Improved Player award after placing fourth in the ranking, a big upgrade from his 119th-finish from the previous season.
Letran's George Diamante and Jose Rizal University's Paul Enal were both given the Defensive Player after tallying 14.89 while rounding out the Defensive Team are Gagate, Pablo, Acido, and Ivan Panapanaan of Arellano University.
The Red Cubs, who fell to LSGH in their Final Four series, will take home the Sportsmanship Award.
—JMB, GMA Integrated News
