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#NCAASeason92Jrs August 15, 2016 Roundup: Is the MVP awardee a lock at this point?

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Scores for August 15, 2016:

Mapua (8-2) def. JRU (2-8) 81-79
Arellano (9-1) def. EAC (0-10) 90-64
San Beda (9-1) def. San Sebastian (1-9) 111-55
LSGH (7-3) def. Perpetual (4-6) 95-80

Is the MVP awardee a lock at this point?

(Photo Credit: The Manansala)

The NCAA has long been home to some of the very best in High School Basketball. From players like Arvin Tolentino, Andrei Caracut, Javee Mocon, JBoy Gob, Mark Cruz and Ricci Rivero, the NCAA has proven as training ground for the future of Pinoy Hoops. How do those five players relate with each other though? They don't have a MVP award.
The MVP Award is essentially the "best player of the league" award when it comes to High School basketball. If you win it, that means you're a premier college prospect. Even though a player may be undersized such as UAAP Season 77 Mike Nieto, he will still be seen by many as a blue chip recruit. 

Being MVP is a distinction like no other. Having the award gives you the potential to be catapulted into superstar status. This year may have Troy Mallillin as the person given the opportunity to become the next big thing in Philippine Hoops. The question is, how much of a lock is he? Let's take a look at the rest of the competition.

Fans will immediately turn to Guilmer Dela Torre as chief competition for the award. He is a reasonable player to put against Troy given how he has carried Arellano to the top despite Carlo Abadeza's struggles, and how much production he has during games. The problem with him is he has another teammate as competition in Aaron Fermin, so Dela Torre's value may be overblown by many since he is helped by his equally valuable teammate Fermin.

You can also turn to Sam Abu Hijleh as competition, but his title as a San Beda Red Cub may prove to hinder his case as MVP. Being a Red Cub immediately means that you play with the very best. Being Most Valuable is out of the question then for many. 

Romuel Junsay is another player who can contend, but he's in a stacked Malayan team as well. With names like reigning MVP Michael Enriquez, Sherwin Concepcion and Jasper Salenga, Junsay's case as MVP may be quite shallow. 

Now we look at Mallillin. What makes him so different compared to the rest of the competition? 

For one, he's leading a team that's filled with young guns instead of the usual veterans. Despite that handicap, Mallillin has lead LSGH to an impressive 7-3 record. Unique Naboa and Joel Cagulangan have certainly been key as well, but in reality, it's been Troy who has lead La Salle to their success.

Second, he's easily the most dominant player in the NCAA right now. I've said time and again that he plays like Mac Belo, and he does. Silent, efficient and deadly. But somehow when he strikes, you can't help but say, "Crap, it's Troy again."

In a batch of NCAA players viewed by many as the best in recent memory, newcomer Troy Mallillin has stood above the rest. Is he lock? Well, with 8 games remaining in their schedule, anything can happen. But it surely won't be surprising if we see Troy holding the MVP trophy by the end of this season. 

For the rest of the August 15, 2016 game day, Mapua, Arellano, and San Beda each notched wins to improve their standing for the #NCAASeason92Jrs tournament. 

It was too close to call for the Mapua Red Robins, as they narrowly beat the JRU Light Bombers, 81-79 in overtime. Romuel Junsay continued his season long brilliance, scoring 20 points and dishing out 6 assists to lead the Red Robins. For JRU, it was Kobe Caballero who produced putting up an impressive 16-11-5 statline. Michael Enriquez had 11 points and 8 rebounds for his season debut. 

Arellano bounced back from a freak loss against La Salle, beating the hapless EAC Brigiadiers 90-64. Guilmer Dela Torre was brilliant as usual scoring 19 points, but it was Aaron Fermin's show the whole game, scoring 17 points and grabbing 11 rebounds. C-Jay Boado led the fight of EAC putting up an all-around 18-12-4-3 (steals) line.

The Red Lions were a team on a mission, blowing out past rivals San Sebastian Staglets 111-55. Evan Nelle finally broke out of his slump, scoring 15 points on 5/7 (all threes) field goal shooting, grabbing 5 rebounds and dishing out 6 assists. Luke Sese led the scoring department for San Beda, notching 19 points. The Staglets were lead by Damie Cuntapay, scoring 11 points and grabbing 8 rebounds. 
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