By NIKOLE JAVIER
University of the Philippines’ Malick Diouf is set to be crowned as the Most Valuable Player of the season but he only has his eyes set on the bigger prize – the back-to-back championship title for the Fighting Maroons.
The 6-foot-11 center, who amassed 73.85 statistical points (SP) to top the MVP race, was in no mood to indulge in the individual recognition ahead of the best-of-three finals series with rival Ateneo.
The Fighting Maroons had to keep themselves poised in the Final Four clash with the National University Bulldogs to complete a return trip to the finals.
“I think it’s just something individual. I’m not thinking about it. I’m just focusing on the finals because that’s more important for the team. So, that’s why I don’t like it when people call me MVP,” said Diouf.
Diouf overtook De La Salle star Schonny Winston, who led the race for individual honors in the first round but were sidelined in the latter half due to a torn calf.
The race though still proved to be tight in the home stretch with Ateneo’s Forthsky Padrigao and previous season’s MVP Ange Kouame coming in second and third in the leaderboard with 71.57 and 70.78 SP, respectively.
Earlier this year, the Fighting Maroon big man was hailed Finals MVP after steering his team to the championship.
"The win makes us happy right now because back-to-back finals. That’s a good thing for us. Right now, happy and just getting ready for the next," he added.
For UP head coach Goldwin Monteverde's part, more than Diouf's MVP status, his leadership throughout the season trumps any individual recognition.
"Si Malick, beside doon sa title ‘yong effort niya para sa akin everyday even practice, even outside , the way he leads his team, the way he gives advice . Every day he’s being an MVP sa team namin," said Monteverde.