TOP student-athletes in the past three seasons of the NCAA and UAAP were recognized in the return from a three-year hiatus of the Collegiate Press Corps Awards Night, presented by San Miguel Corporation and Philippine Sports Commission at the Hummingbird Rooftop Bar in Quezon City on Monday.
The cream of the crop in the basketball and volleyball scene from the 2019-20, 2021-22, and 2022-23 athletic years were feted in the historic three-in-one ceremony also backed by MNL Kingpin, Tinapayan Festival, Jockey, and World Balance.
Letran’s Rhenz Abando and the Ateneo pair of Thirdy Ravena and Ange Koaume were hailed as the Collegiate Basketball Players of the Year after steering their respective schools to the most coveted hoop title.
Ravena copped the 2019-20 edition of the plum presented by San Miguel Corp., for steering Ateneo to its third straight UAAP title in a rare 16-0 sweep in Season 82.
“It means a lot to me kasi this time, four years ago, was really the time that shaped me both on and off the court and made me a better person,” said Ravena through a video message as his father Bong received the award on his behalf.
The King Eagle was also named in the 2019-20 All-Collegiate Team together with UST’s Soulemane Chabi Yo, San Beda’s Calvin Oftana, and the Letran pair of Fran Yu and Jerrick Balanza.
NCAA Rookie of the Year and Most Valuable Player Abando added another feat to his resume with the 2021 edition of the award for rallying the Knights to the Season 97 crown.
“Sobrang laking tulong sakin na maglaro [sa] collegiate kasi kung hindi ako naglaro dito, hindi naman ako makikilala at [makakapunta] sa abroad,” said Abando, who has gone on to win the Korean Basketball League title as part of Anyang KGC.
Joining Abando in the 2021-22 Collegiate Mythical Five are Knights teammate Jeo Ambohot, Ateneo’s Kouame, and UP duo Carl Tamayo and Malick Diouf.
UAAP Season 85 Finals MVP Kouame was named the 2022-23 Collegiate Basketball Player of the Year for helping Ateneo reclaim the title from rival UP, tallying his third collegiate crown in four seasons in the process.
