UST’s Ybanez, Adamson’s Nitura named UAAP MVPs

MANILA, Philippines — A pair of high-scoring spikers are set to be crowned this year’s UAAP volleyball Most Valuable Players.

University of Santo Tomas’ Josh Ybanez and Adamson’s Shai Nitura are set to be named the UAAP Season 88 MVPs of the men’s and women’s volleyball tournaments.

Nitura, last season’s Rookie of the Year, led the league in scoring for the second straight year, producing 284 points built on 248 attacks, 24 blocks, and 12 aces.

She paced the runaway MVP race as she finished with 98.511 statistical points, 16 points ahead of runner-up and teammate Frances Mordi, who tallied 82.766 SPs.

The 21-year-old, who led Adamson to its first Final Four appearance in three years, ranked third in spiking efficiency with a 38.15% success rate and seventh in service with an average of 0.26 aces per set, while fourth in receptions with a 44.48% efficiency and eighth in digging with 2.11 digs per set.

The presumptive MVP will also secure her first best outside spiker award with 303 ranking points (RP).

La Salle’s Angel Canino will take the other outside hitter spot with 272 RPs. Her strong bid was fueled by her second-best 39.06% spiking efficiency and third-best 45.89% reception rate.

Lady Spikers captain Shevana Laput will claim her second straight best opposite spiker recognition after finishing with 188 RP, highlighted by a 36.55% spiking success rate and 0.65 blocks per set.

La Salle’s Amie Provido (206 RPs) and University of the Philippines’ Niña Ytang (181 RPs) set to retain their titles as the best middle blockers.

Provido led the league in blocking with 43 total blocks and a 0.83 average per set, while Ytang ranked third with 35 total blocks and a 0.67 average. Ytang, who is set to receive a record fourth straight nod, was also the highest-scoring middle blocker with 172 points from 126 attacks, 35 blocks, and 11 aces.

The Lady Falcons’ Fhei Sagaysay is set to be named the best setter of the UAAP, while National University’s Shaira Jardio will be honored as best libero. Lady Bulldog Sam Cantada will be crowned as this year’s Rookie of the Year after finishing sixth in statistical points with 66.786.

Over in the men’s division, Ybanez is set to receive his third MVP award. The 23-year-old dynamo led the league with 90.192 SPs. He ranked fourth in spiking with a 45.19% success rate, second in aces with 0.35 per set and second in receptions with a remarkable 65.68% efficiency.

He also finished as the league’s second-leading scorer with 278 points built on 244 spikes, 16 blocks and 18 aces.

Ybanez will also be handed his third best outside spiker plum after finishing with 329 RPs, while NU’s Buds Buddin earned his second best outside spiker award with 269 RPs.

NU’s Leo Ordiales will capture his first best opposite spiker award after finishing with 232 RPs, backed by strong all-around numbers as he ranked third in spiking (46.12%), sixth in blocking (0.67 per set), and seventh in aces (0.21 per set).

De La Salle University’s Issa Ousseini (196 RPs) and Far Eastern University’s Lirick Mendoza (191 RPs) will be named best middle blockers.

FEU’s Ariel Cacao edged out Ateneo de Manila University’s Enzo Gutierrez as this season’s best setter, while Tamaraws teammate Vennie Ceballos ran away with the best libero plum.