UAAP introduces Best Foreign Student-Athlete award

The University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) has introduced the Best Foreign Student-Athlete award which was officially implemented at the start of Season 87.

UAAP executive director Rebo Saguisag announced the development on Thursday in a press conference for the upcoming volleyball season.

Saguisag said if a foreign student-athlete finished on the top spot of the statistical points race, if available, then the said player will be recognized with the said feat, while the next best-ranked local player will be named as the Most Valuable Player.

“The reason behind this is to ensure that we properly recognize both our local and international student-athletes while maintaining the spirit of the league’s competition,” Saguisag said.

“By implementing the Best Foreign Student-Athlete award, we ensure that if an FSA leads the statistical points race, they are duly recognized, while still allowing a local student-athlete to be awarded MVP.”

During this season's first semester sports, locals have been named as MVPs such as Kevin Quiambao (men's basketball), Kacey dela Rosa (women's basketball), Mon Diansuy (men's football), and Carmela Altiche (women's football).

Meanwhile, last season's juniors basketball MVP Collins Akowe of National University is currently leading this season's SPs race after the first round of the tournament. 

The league previously awarded the MVP plum to foreign student-athletes such as De La Salle University's Ben Mbala, University of the Philippines' Bright Akhuetie and Malick Diouf, Ateneo de Manila's Ange Kouame, and University of Santo Tomas' Soulemane Chabi Yo and Grace Irebu.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News