Far Eastern University star and UAAP Season 88 MVP Janrey Pasaol. Photo from UAAP Media.MANILA (UPDATED) — Janrey Pasaol has officially been named the UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball Most Valuable Player (MVP).
The do-it-all guard from Far Eastern University received his honor ahead of Game 2 of the best-of-three series between the University of the Philippines and De La Salle University on Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay. He was crowned after topping the Statistical Points (SPs) race with 81.5.
Despite falling short of a Final 4 berth, Pasaol established himself as the league’s top performer, averaging 15.4 points, 7.5 assists, 4.1 rebounds, and 2.1 steals per game.
"Sobrang saya kasi pagkatapos ko ma-awardan ng MVP noong semis, may opportunity na agad sa SEA Games. Sobrang happy at nakabalik dito ng safe," Pasaol said.
"Yung mga talo siguro namin na sobrang dikitan, siguro 'yon yung kailangan namin baunin para sa next season, we can get over the hump," he added.
Meanwhile, University of Santo Tomas bruising big man Collins Akowe was named Season 88 Rookie of the Year.
Akowe powered the Growling Tigers to the Final 4, posting averages of 16.4 points, 14.5 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks. He finished third overall in the SPs race with 79.286, as UST bowed to the Fighting Maroons, 81–82, in the semifinals.
Both Pasaol and Akowe were also named to the Elite Team, formerly known as the Mythical Five. Joining them are La Salle’s Mike Phillips (80.429 SPs), National University’s Jake Figueroa (77.286 SPs), and UST’s Nic Cabañero (66.643 SPs).
University of the East’s Precious Momowei (75.214 SPs) and FEU big man Mo Konateh (74.786 SPs) were also in contention for Elite Team spots but missed the cut due to league rules limiting the list to one foreign student-athlete.
Phillips, La Salle's graduating captain, averaged 12.79 points, 14.93 rebounds (1st), 3.07 assists, and 1.43 steals (7th) per game, leading the Green Archers to an 8-6 record in the eliminations.
He also earned P30,000 as the Motolite Maasahan Player of the Season, P30,000 from Clear for Defensive Player of the Season, and P50,000 as the AIA Best Rebounder of the Season.
Nigerian center Collins Akowe, meanwhile, posted 16.43 points (3rd), 14.5 rebounds (2nd), 1.43 assists, and 1.43 blocks (3rd) in his rookie season for the Growling Tigers, who also finished 8-6.
Akowe, awarded P50,000 as the Cethaphil Fresh Face of the Season, became the first UST player to win Rookie of the Year since Mark Nonoy in Season 82 (2019).
Figueroa, the UAAP Season 82 High School Boys’ MVP, ended his collegiate career with a first-time Elite Team selection after averaging 13.93 points, 7.21 rebounds (10th), 3.93 assists (7th), 2.14 steals (2nd), and 1.0 block (8th), helping NU achieve a league-best 11-3 record.
Cabanero, a graduating senior, made his second consecutive Elite Team appearance after leading the league in scoring at 16.79 points per game, alongside averages of 6.0 rebounds, 2.57 assists, and 1.14 steals. He also received P50,000 as the 2025 PSBankable Player.
The UST captain, together with University of the East’s Precious Momowei, also received P30,000 in cash and P10,000 worth of gift cheques as co-winners of the KFC Buckets of the Season Award.