Liwag bags back-to-back MVP honors

College of Saint Benilde Allen Liwag was named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) for the second straight time in Season 101 of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) men’s basketball tournament.

Liwag, who is currently in Thailand with Gilas Pilipinas for the 33rd Southeast Asian (SEA) Games, averaged 15.71 points, 9.0 rebounds, two assists and one block per game and became the first back-to-back MVP since Allwell Oraeme of Mapua University in 2015 and 2016.

Liwag also bagged Mythical Five and the All-Defensive Team honors in his second year with the Blazers.

Also joining the Mythical Five are Kevin Santos and Jonathan Manalili of Letran College, Janti Miller of San Beda University and Jhuniel Dela Rama of San Sebastian College.

Meanwhile, Dela Rama, Santos and Liwag join Cyrus Nitura of Mapua University and Ivan Panapanaan of Jose Rizal University in the Defensive Team for Season 101.

Manalili also bagged both Rookie of the Year and Freshman of the Year awards after averaging 14.087 points, 8.92 assists and 5.15 boards.

Renzo Abiera of Arellano University won the Most Improved Player award after averaging 12.23 points and 3.0 rebounds, while the University of Perpetual Help System Dalta received the Sportsmanship Award.