SLAM’s UAAP Awards

Most Valuable Player
Terrence Romeo – Far Eastern University

This was pretty much a no-brainer. Terrence Romeo has developed into the best collegiate basketball player in the country with the help of Coach Nash Racela. There was something that Coach Nash did that made Romeo become such a dangerous player. And that is no longer dangerous to his own team.

Romeo became a great all-around baller that can do so much on the court right now. We all knew that he can score, but now, he is doing it with ease because of how the other aspects of his game have finally blossomed. Terrence’s passing is impeccable. His decision making has vastly improved. And due to that, defenders cant just lock down on him, thinking that he will force up a shot.

The dude is legit. And the hair? Yeah, the hair. So silky smooth.

Defensive Player of the Year
Karim Abdul – University of Santo Tomas

This was a tough one. The reason why I picked Karim Abdul was because he averages almost three stocks (steals and blocks) a game. That is leading the league in blocks (2 per game) and being in the Top 10 in steals (0.93). It is not easy to do that. Throw in the fact that he is also second in the rebounding department, and you have to agree that he had an awesome year on the defensive end.

Most Improved Player of the Year
Arnold Van Opstal – De La Salle University

Remember how people were making fun of Arnold last season? Those that were saying that he should be in America’s Next Top Model more than he should be on the court? Well, you guys can keep quiet now. AVO has turned himself into a legit big man in the UAAP. He improved his footwork, he uses the glass to his advantage, and can jump through the roof at times.

Granted, there is still so much that he needs to improve on. But, if this season shows anything, it is that Coach Jun Limpot is putting the learning on his bigs.

Newcomer of the Year
Chris Newsome – Ateneo de Manila University

First of all, I honestly think that we need to scrap that “Rookie of the Year” award. I think that we need to change it to the Newcomer of the Year award and have it solely for players with Filipino blood. This is not take anything away from the foreigners that join the league. I have a separate award for them later on. It is to give an award to those that have the patience to go through the residency process because some schools won’t release them or they are grew up in another country.

Now, for the award, I give it to Chris Newsome. The Fil-Am was fantastic in his first year with the Blue Eagles. He was flying through the air, making big shots, playing awesome defense, and took the league by storm. We all expected him to be athletic, but we didn’t know that his work ethic is on a different level too. I can’t wait to see what he can do next season.

Import of the Year
Charles Mammie – University of the East

He might not be the best on-cam interview, but the man mountain known as Charles Mammie was phenomenal in his first season in the UAAP. Scoring 15 ppg and inhaling 19 rpg, there were times that it seemed that he was completely unstoppable. There are things that he needs to work on in the off-season though. Mainly his free throw shooting and his temper. Once he has those two in control, there will be nothing that can stop Charles Mammie from controlling the whole league.

Coach of the Year
Juno Sauler – De La Salle University

I could’ve easily gone with Coach Nash Racela here, but I think that Coach Juno Sauler takes it. The former Barangay Ginebra assistant coach was given his team three weeks before the start of the season. He didn’t have an entire preseason tournament to get his player to buy into the system. Sauler didn’t have time to do anything. He had to get the players to understand what he wanted on the court on the fly. That isn’t easy, but it was necessary. And for that, he gets my vote for Coach of the Year.

1st Team All-UAAP
C – Charles Mammie – University of the East
F – Bobby Ray Parks – National University
F – Jeron Teng – De La Salle University
G – Terrence Romeo – Far Eastern University
G – Roi Sumang – University of the East

That is an incredibly small line-up, but it had to be to squeeze in those five guys. There isn’t one player there that I would remove from the Mythical Five.

Now, I do agree that there should only be one import in the Mythical Five, I don’t agree with the selection being extremely position based. Make it simpler. Fantasy Basketball style. 1 Center, 2 Forwards, and 2 Guards. Regardless if they are a power forward of a small forward. It will eliminate too many other players that deserve that Mythical Five spot.

2nd Team All-UAAP
C – Emmanuel Mbe – National University
F – Karim Abdul – University of Santo Tomas
F – Aljon Mariano – University of Santo Tomas
G – Chris Newsome – Ateneo de Manila University
G – Almond Vosotros – De La Salle University

Now, we have an extremely big line-up. Mbe was the anchor in the middle for NU all season long. Abdul and Mariano kept things going for UST when Jeric Teng went down. Newsome, like I said earlier, was great from beginning to end. And, Almond Vosotros won numerous games for the Green Archers.

3rd Team All-UAAP
C – Raul Soyud – University of the Philippines
F – Jason Perkins – De La Salle University
F – Ryan Buenafe – Ateneo de Manila University
G – Joseph Marata – University of the Philippines
G – Jericho Cruz – Adamson University

Raul Soyud was the only non-foreigner that averaged a double-double and Joseph Marata was showing what he could do when motivated. Jason Perkins and Ryan Buenafe were the heft that kept coming and coming. Jericho Cruz was his usual “I’m the only one that can consistently score for my team” self out there.

I know, I know. “No Kiefer Ravena?!? You must be crazy!” But, hear me out. Kiefer wasn’t the same this season. Maybe it was the injury. Maybe it was the defenses that were put up against him. Either way, it wasn’t the usual Phenom that we were seeing out on the court. I honestly wished that we saw more of the Ravena that we admire out on the court.

Now, let’s have some fun! What about the other awards that probably wont make it on TV.

Fight of the Year
Terrence Romeo vs Nico Salva
(Runner-up: Coach Bo Perasol vs JJ Atayde)

Bro. It has become such a social media phenomenon that cannot be overlooked, bro???? Think of it as the “I’m going to make a Wrecking Ball video” of the UAAP.

Hassle Award
Suspensions (and not suspensions)

Suspended players, suspended coaches, suspended fan(?). Next thing you know, a whole team could be suspended.

“Not A Good Way to Go into the PBA Draft” Award
RR Garcia – Far Eastern University

Garcia already said that he is planning on joining the Gilas Cadet Pool. I honestly think that that is the best decision that he could make. He didn’t have the best season (or even seasons) going into the PBA Draft. The only option left is to get some run with the Gilas boys and hopefully work your way up the Draft next season.

Sophomore Slump Award
Anthony Hargrove – Far Eastern University

“Anyare” Award
Mikee Reyes – University of the Philippines

After one game into the season, UP point guard, Mikee Reyes decided to call it quits with the Fighting Maroons. What in the world really happened here? Reports said that it was because of a confrontation between him and his former head coach, Ricky Dandan. Whether or not that was it, it’ll just make you scratch your head.

Best In-Game Premium Award
FUBU Fearless Shot

There has got to be a joke that you can insert here, right?

“You Know He Will Come Back 10 Times Better” Award
Kiefer Ravena – Ateneo de Manila University

Kiefer didn’t have the season that we were expecting. He struggled from the field and he struggled from the line. He was hobbled with an ankle injury and he just couldn’t back to how he really is. It sucks seeing it, but I know that the Blue Mamba will be back, better than ever, next year.

“I Had A Great Season So I Should Go to The PBA” Award
Kevin Ferrer – University of Santo Tomas

With Ray Parks’ future up in the air, imagine if the Joe Dumars to his early Jordan-esque UAAP life went into the PBA as well? Kevin Ferrer has been on a tear and is really making a case for an early jumper into the Draft. He could be a high pick if he plays his cards right. I think that this could be the best time for him to take a risk.

“My Name Does Not Reflect What I Look Like” Award
Ingrid Sewa – Adamson University

Has to be the meanest looking Ingrid I have ever seen in my life.

All-Chucker Five
F – Roider Cabrera – Adamson University
F – Joseph Marata – University of the Philippines
F – Ryan Buenafe – Ateneo de Manila University
G – Terrence Romeo – Far Eastern University
G – Almond Vosotros – De La Salle University

Who needs a center when you have these five guys chucking up shots?

“Kalokalike” Award
Ed Daquioag – University of Santo Tomas

Not only does his name sound like Mark Caguiao, but the dude is a dead ringer for Mark “The Coffee Prince” Barroca.

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