San Beda’s Calvin Oftana wins NCAA MVP
MANILA, Philippines—Calvin Oftana, playing consistently throughout San Beda’s 18-game sweep, emerged as the MVP of the NCAA Season 95 men’s basketball tournament.
The 6-foot-4 forward from Dumaguete City compiled a player average value (PAV) of 51.56 after tallying an average of 15.6 points, 8.2 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.2 blocks during the elimination round that boosted the defending Red Lions’ stock to a rare 18-0 record.
San Beda’s Evan Nelle (45.39) and James Canlas-Kwekuteye (45.33) placed second and third in the MVP race while completing the Mythical Team are San Sebastian’s Allyn Bulanadi, the tournament’s leading scorer (45.28) and Jaycee Marcelino (43.94) of Lyceum.
Oftana, who also made it to the all-defensive team, became the first player from San Beda to claim the MVP since Sudan Daniel in 2010. Justin Arana of Arellano was named rookie of the year and Letran’s Fran Yu got the nod for the season’s most improved player.
Donald Tankoua, San Beda’s Cameroonian center, was adjudged best foreign player while Lyceum’s Mike Nzeusseu became the tournament’s best defensive foreign player.
Joining Oftana and the 6-foot-4 Arana in the all-defensive squad are Perpetual’s Ben Adamos, EAC’s JP Maguliano and San Sebastian’s JM Calma.
Lyceum’s John Barba seized season MVP honors in the junior ranks, outshining teammate McLaude Guadana and San Beda’s Yukien Andrada and Justin Sanchez for the award.
The awarding ceremony is scheduled Friday before Game 2 of the San Beda-Letran finals at the MOA Arena.
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