THE King Tamaraw has been crowned league leader.

Far Eastern University’s main man Ryan Roose Garcia, a five-foot-10 guard, beat National University center Emmanuel Mbe for the Most Valuable Player (MVP) plum in probably the closest race ever for the highest individual honor in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) men’s basketball competition.

Garcia compiled a total of 59.2 statistical points (SPs) average, just a hairline over Mbe’s 59, to become the first guard in the UAAP to win MVP honors since Johnny Abarrientos in 1991.

The Zamboanga-born player was ecstatic to win the trophy in just his second year in the league.

“Nagpapasalamat ako sa teammates ko. Kung wala naman sila, hindi ko rin makukuha ito,” said Garcia, who hit a crucial three-pointer in the Tamaraws’ 74-72 squeaker over Ateneo on Saturday to clinch the top spot in the semifinals.

According to the league official statistician head, Pong Ducanes of Imperium backed by Smart Bro, if FEU had lost to the Blue Eagles, Mbe would easily be adjudged the MVP of the season as Garcia won’t receive the 15 won game points.

But the Tamaraw, despite a foul-plagued and cold shooting game against the Blue Eagles, hit a crucial three-pointer that mattered most to complete FEU’s come-from-behind win.

“Ilang beses na kami sinave ni RR sa 14 games namin and I think it’s payback time na tulungan namin siya para makuha ang MVP,” said FEU head coach Glen Capacio.

“He’s not been playing well in the past two games maybe because of the pressure na during crunch time we will look for him. Ngayon nakuha na niya ang MVP, sa Final Four, lalaban na ulit ang tunay na RR,” he added.

The Tamaraws will play La Salle on Thursday in the first semifinal match, then Ateneo battles Adamson in the other semifinal duel on Sunday. The Tamaraws and the Blue Eagles hold twice-to-beat advantages for finishing the eliminations in the top two.

Garcia and Mbe led the Mythical Five team that also included Tamaraws center Aldrech Ramos (58.7), University of the East’s Paul Lee (57.7) and Ken Acibar (50.64).

Terrence Romeo made it a double celebration for the Morayta-based dribblers as he bagged the Rookie of the Year honor.

Romeo, who had 15 points and 10 rebounds against Ateneo on Saturday, compiled a total of 37.78 SPs average and easily beat Ateneo’s Art de la Cruz Jr. (31.5) and La Salle’s Luigi de la Paz (30.57).

“He really deserved it and I’m happy for him,” said Capacio, who is trying to end a five-year title drought of FEU.

Joel Orellana, Business Mirror

...Congratulations....he diffinitely desrves it....