Two amazing rookies who made their mark in their respective divisions were fittingly awarded the highest individual honors in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines Season 85 volleyball tournament.
The league named Angel Canino of De La Salle University as Most Valuable Player and Rookie of the Year in the women’s division while University of Santo Tomas’ Josh Ybañez achieved the same feat in the men’s side during the awarding rites held yesterday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
This marked the first time in league history that both the men’s and women’s divisions had rookie MVPs.
Canino became the second player in the division to be named RoY-MVP after Bella Belen of National University last year.
The 19-year-old winger accumulated 89.375 statistical points to edge out teammate Jolina de la Cruz and University of Santo Tomas’ Eya Laure who collected 86.875 SP and 84.074 SP, respectively, in the tight MVP race.
“First of all, I just want to thank God for the blessing and the gift of being able to share my talent with the volleyball community and inspire the youth,” said Canino, who became the ninth Lady Spiker to be named MVP.
Canino, who also won the 2nd Best Open Spiker recognition, became the first La Salle player to win MVP after Majoy Baron in 2017 and first RoY winner after Ara Galang in 2011.
Meanwhile, Ybañez was the runaway winner after the 20-year-old open hitter from General Santos City tallied 96.00 SP, 22.863 points clear of closest pursuer Buds Buddin of NU (73.137 SP).
The Golden Spiker became the first rookie MVP Marck Espejo of Ateneo de Manila University achieved the feat back in 2014.
Ybañez, who is also the 1st Best Outside Spiker, is the first UST player to win the season MVP since Mark Alfafara back in 2013 and first RoY since Jayson Ramos did it in 2008.
De la Cruz was named the 1st Best Outside Spiker while Lady Spikers teammates Thea Gagate and Mars Alba got the 1st Best Middle Blocker and Best Setter awards, respectively.
University of the Philippines’ Niña Ytang earned the 2nd Best Middle Blocker recognition. Jovelyn Fernandez of Far Eastern University was awarded the Best Opposite Spiker, while the Tigresses’ defense specialist Detdet Pepito got the Best Libero title.
In other men’s awards, Buddin received the 2nd Best Outside Spiker award, NU’s Congolese student-athlete, Obed Mukaba was hailed 1st Best Middle Blocker while Billie Anima got the 2nd Best Middle Blocker recognition.
Another UST rookie, Jay Rack Dela Noche won Best Opposite Spiker, Joshua Retamar of NU bagged the Best Setter award, while Ateneo’s Lance De Castro was named the Best Libero, completing the list of awardees.
