On December 13, before Game 2 of the finals began, the awarding ceremony for the outstanding players of the NCAA Season 101 men’s basketball tournament was held in front of thousands of fans at the SMART Araneta Coliseum in Cubao, Quezon City.
Allen Liwag Wins Back to Back Most Valuable Player Award
Allen Liwag once again emerged as the standout individual in NCAA men’s basketball after securing his second straight Most Valuable Player award in Season 101, reaffirming his status as the league’s premier big man.
The 6-foot-6 center from De La Salle–College of Saint Benilde became the first player to achieve back-to-back MVP recognition since Mapua’s Allwell Oraeme did so a decade ago.
Despite an abbreviated and physically challenging campaign, Liwag’s impact was undeniable. He appeared in only seven of Benilde’s 13 elimination-round games after battling a combination of illness, a shoulder injury, and other setbacks, but still met the NCAA’s eligibility requirement of playing at least half of the scheduled contests.
In those limited appearances, he posted elite numbers, averaging around 15 to 16 points, nine to 11 rebounds, two assists, and roughly one block per game.
Those performances translated to a league-best Player Average Value of 49.00, narrowly separating him from his closest challengers.
Liwag’s return in the latter part of the eliminations proved pivotal, particularly his strong showing against Emilio Aguinaldo College in the Blazers’ final classification match, which helped solidify his MVP case.
His consistent production also played a major role in guiding Benilde to the Final Four for the fourth consecutive season. In addition to the MVP trophy, Liwag earned spots on both the Mythical Five and the All-Defensive Team, further highlighting his two-way influence.
He was not present at the ceremony, however, as he was in Thailand for national team duties with Gilas Pilipinas.
Jonathan “Titing” Manalili Outlasted Agjanti Miller for ROTY
Finishing just behind Liwag in the individual race was Colegio de San Juan de Letrán’s rookie guard Titing Manalili, who turned in a sensational debut season.
Manalili compiled a 46.23 PAV and led the Knights to a return trip to the championship round after a three-year absence. The Cebuano floor general averaged solid scoring numbers while excelling as a playmaker and perimeter defender, ranking among the league leaders in assists and steals.
His all-around brilliance earned him both Rookie of the Year and Freshman of the Year honors, in addition to a place on the Mythical Five.
Jhuniel Dela Rama gets DPOY
San Sebastian College-Recoletos forward Jhuniel Dela Rama also enjoyed a breakout season, placing among the top players in overall value while anchoring the Stags’ defense.
The rookie big man averaged a double-double and made his presence felt on the boards and passing lanes, performances that earned him the Defensive Player of the Year award. Dela Rama was likewise selected to the Mythical Five and the All-Defensive Team, capping an impressive first year in the seniors division.
Mythical Five: Miller, Manalili, Liwag, Dela Rama and Kevin Santos
Completing the Mythical Five were San Beda University scoring machine Agjanti Miller and veteran Letran forward Kevin Santos.
Miller, one of the league’s most explosive offensive weapons, delivered consistent high-scoring outings for the Red Lions despite missing the awards ceremony due to a suspension during the finals.
Santos, meanwhile, provided steady production on both ends of the floor for Letran, contributing in scoring, rebounding, and rim protection while serving as one of the Knights’ most reliable leaders.
Renzo Abiera wins Most Improved Player Award
The Most Improved Player award went to Arellano University guard Renzo Abiera.
Abiera made one of the biggest jumps in the league, dramatically improving his statistical output and climbing the individual rankings after helping steer the Chiefs into the quarterfinals. His leap from a reserve-level contributor to a key scoring option underscored his development over the past year.
Other Awards: All Defensive Team and Sportsmanship Award
The All-Defensive Team featured Dela Rama and Liwag alongside Santos, Mapua University’s Cyrus Nitura, and Jose Rizal University’s Ivan Panapanaan, recognizing the players who set the standard on the defensive end throughout the season.
Meanwhile the Sportsmanship Awards was awarded to the entire team of the University of Perpetual Help System DALTA.
The season awards capped a competitive NCAA campaign defined by emerging young stars and resilient veterans, but it was Liwag’s dominance that achieved despite adversity which stood above the rest, cementing his place among the league’s elite and securing his legacy as a two-time MVP.
Agjanti Miller Snubbed for the MVP-ROTY award?
The 6 foot 4 Fil-Am Miller had a strong case of winning both the MVP and ROTY award this season as for the entire tournament he averaged 19.77 points and 6.08 rebounds which includes the playoffs and the one game he played in the final series.
But during the regular season, in which a player could play a maximum number of 14 games and is the only part of the season judged in winning individual awards, the famous sports personality Sports Papi gave the numbers for Manalili, Liwag and Janti.
Photo Credits: Sports Papi via Facebook
Miller clearly had better numbers than Titing and Allen whilst playing the same number of games with Manalili. While CSB’s center had the most questionable 7-game availability in winning the prestigious award.
So whether or not Miller “should’ve” won 2 awards at the same time, he still at the end of the day, went home with an NCAA Championship under his belt.
