Bella Belen, Josh Ybañez win UAAP MVP titles anew

Bella Belen and Josh Ybañez are once again Most Valuable Players of UAAP volleyball.

Belen was awarded her second MVP plum for the women's division on Wednesday before Game 2 of the Season 86 finals at the Mall of Asia Arena.

The National University star had 82.2 statistical points (SPs) to win her second MVP award in three seasons. She also had 205 points from 179 attacks, 15 blocks, and 11 aces as she led the Bulldogs to their third straight finals stint.

Angge Poyos of University of Santo Tomas, meanwhile, was named as Rookie of the Year as she placed second in the MVP race with 76.964 SPs.

Belen and Poyos were also named as the Best Outside Spikers.

Joining the two in the Mythical Team are Thea Gagate (DLSU) and Niña Ytang (UP) as Best Middle Blockers, Alyssa Solomon (NU) as Best Opposite Spiker, and UST Golden Tigresses Detdet Pepito and Cassie Carballo as Best Libero and Best Setter, respectively.

Ybañez, meanwhile, copped the said recognition last season.

The UST star had 89.643 statistical points and had a total of 329 points from 303 attacks, 15 aces, and 11 blocks at the end of the elimination round.

He was also named as the 1st Best Outside Spiker, while Nico Almendras was the 2nd Best Outside Spiker.

Martin Bugaoan (FEU) and Nat Del Pilar (DLSU) were named Best Middle Blockers, while Dryx Saavedra (FEU) was recognized as Best Opposite Spiker.

Menard Guerrero (DLSU) was awarded Best Libero, while Joshua Retamar (NU) was named Best Setter. 

National U's Jade Disquitado was recognized as this season's top rookie.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News