For the first time in the UAAP, the Season Most Valuable Player of the High School Boys’ Volleyball tournament will come from University of Santo Tomas.
Opposite hitter Jancriz Ayco, who is in Grade 11, paced the Junior Golden Spikers in its fourth-place finish this season to deserve the top student-athlete plum in the tournament handed before Game 2 of the Finals between National University Nazareth School and University of the East.
“Hindi ko po in-expect na makuha ko po ‘to kasi marami pong magagaling na players,” said the Cadiz-born spiker, who played his first season in the league.
“Pero gagamitin ko po to as motivation na galingan pa po, i-improve ‘yung skills, at gawin ‘yung tama sa court,” he added.
Ayco also copped Best Opposite Hitter as teammates Paolo Medino and Sean Cruz took one of the Best Outside Hitter and Best Middle Blocker trophies, respectively.
Miguel Egger of NUNS was adjudged as one of the Best Middle Blockers for the second straight season and will try to reel the Bullpups to a fifth UAAP title later in the day.
Far Eastern University-Diliman captain Rhodson Du-ot added the Best Setter award this season to his resume after winning the Finals MVP trophy in Season 85.
Adamson University’s future is bright with Grade 10 defensive specialist John Ian Guevarra taking Best Libero in a great season for the Baby Falcons.