The very best individual performers of collegiate basketball are set to be feted as the UAAP–NCAA Press Corps names the Mythical Team of the 2017 season in the Chooks-to-Go Collegiate Basketball Awards on Thursday at The Bayleaf Hotel in Intramuros.
Robert Bolick and Thirdy Ravena, the key cogs behind San Beda and Ateneo’s championship runs, lead the selection, together with MVPs CJ Perez of Lyceum and Ben Mbala of La Salle.
Floor general Matt Nieto, also of Ateneo, complete the cast that will be feted in the awards night sponsored by Chooks-to-Go.
After steering the Red Lions to their 21st title in the NCAA, Bolick is a shoo-in to the mythical team particularly with how he performed in the Finals against the Pirates.
The 6’1” guard out of Leyte missed out on individual accolades in the NCAA after being suspended for a game, but his year-long effort for the Red Lions isn’t about to go unnoticed.
Ateneo’s homegrown pair of Ravena and Nieto also made the cut in the awards ceremony after steering the Blue Eagles to their first title in five years.
The duo showed great improvement from seasons before, not only in the individual aspect of the game, but in being the leaders of the young Ateneo side coached by Tab Baldwin.
Wrapping up the selection are the best individual performers of the collegiate season in Perez and Mbala.
Perez was the force behind Lyceum’s amazing turnaround from cellar-dwellers to championship contenders, especially following a historic elimination-round sweep. Though they fell short of a title in the NCAA, Perez and the Pirates rebounded after winning the Philippine Collegiate Champions League.
Mbala, on the other hand, is the least surprising selection following another dominant season for the Green Archers.
Though they fell short of winning back to back titles, the 2016 Player of the Year was a man among boys in the UAAP leading to his second straight MVP citation.
Among the five, the Collegiate Player of the Year will also be selected.