Mathew Montebon Holds Slim Lead Over Kirby Mongcopa in Early UAAP MVP Race
Adamson’s Mathew Montebon holds a slim lead over FEU’s Kirby Mongcopa in the early UAAP Season 89 men’s basketball MVP race, according to unofficial statistical points computations by local statistician Johann Medina through the October 4 games.
Montebon sits atop Medina’s tracker with 72.333 statistical points (SPs), just 0.083 ahead of Mongcopa’s 72.250. UST’s Collins Akowe is third overall with 71.750, followed by teammate Amiel Acido at 69.250.
Montebon’s rise followed a standout performance in Adamson’s 85–57 victory over UST on October 3, when he produced 21 points, seven assists, five rebounds and two steals in only 23 minutes.
The win improved the Soaring Falcons to 2–1. Adamson had opened with a 56–53 victory over FEU before losing 73–68 to Ateneo.
Mongcopa Climbs as FEU Rises
Mongcopa, meanwhile, moved from ninth to second as the Tamaraws recovered from that opening defeat with three consecutive victories. FEU beat UE, La Salle, and UP to reach 3–1, sharing the best record with Ateneo through October 4.
Mongcopa scored 20 points in FEU’s 90–78 win over La Salle on September 30, then delivered 24 points, nine rebounds, and three assists in a 90–79 victory over UP on October 4.
UST has two players among the top four, although the Growling Tigers’ loss to Adamson brought their record to 2–2.
Akowe remains the highest-ranked foreign student-athlete, but FSAs are ineligible for the season MVP award under the UAAP’s revised individual awards rules.
The Best Foreign Student-Athlete award is given only when an FSA finishes first in the overall statistical points race, rather than simply leading the foreign players.
Early Elite Team Takes Shape
Based on Medina’s current projection, Montebon, Mongcopa, Akowe, Acido and NU’s Reinhard Jumamoy would comprise the Elite Team, the league’s five-player selection previously known as the Mythical Five, if awards were determined at this point.
FEU’s Mohamed Konateh actually ranks fifth overall with 68.000 SPs, having climbed 22 places from 27th.
However, only one FSA may be included in the Elite Team. With Akowe occupying that spot, sixth-ranked Jumamoy, who has 66.250 SPs, moves into the projected selection.
Jumamoy’s Bulldogs stand at 2–2 after their 87–76 loss to Ateneo on October 3.
Kieffer Alas Leads Rookie of the Year Race
Ateneo’s Jared Bahay is next in the overall rankings at seventh with 65.250 SPs, followed by teammate Kieffer Alas at eighth with 63.250.
Alas leads Medina’s Rookie of the Year tracker and has climbed 10 places from 18th overall in the previous update.
He scored 18 points in Ateneo’s comeback victory over NU, helping the Blue Eagles improve to 3–1.
FEU’s Cabs Cabonilas is the next-highest rookie in the tracker at joint 14th overall with 58.500 SPs.
La Salle’s Tovera is at 28th, FEU’s Gish at 47th and Ateneo’s Leal at 55th overall among the other rookie contenders.
Other notable players in Medina’s top 20 include UP’s Francis Nnoruka, ninth with 60.000 SPs, and La Salle’s Jacob Cortez, 10th with 59.750.
Adamson’s Matt Edding is 11th at 59.667, NU’s PJ Palacielo is 12th at 59.250, and Adamson’s Precious Jonah is 13th at 58.667.
Reigning MVP Janrey Pasaol is tied with Cabonilas at 14th with 58.500 SPs.
UAAP basketball’s statistical points system combines individual production with a bonus for victories and deductions for turnovers and disciplinary penalties.
