Foreign student-athletes (FSA) will no longer be eligible for the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Most Valuable Player (MVP) title after it created a distinct award for the best international players in the statistical points race.
According to UAAP executive director Atty. Rebo Saguisag, the Best Foreign Student-Athlete award prize will go to the foreign student-athlete who receives the maximum statistical points in a sporting event.
Meanwhile, the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award will go to the best local or domestic player.
Major shift
The major shift will not only apply to popular events like basketball and volleyball, but to all sports played at the high school and collegiate levels.
“The reason behind this is to ensure that we properly recognize both our local and international student-athletes,” Saguisag said.
"The rationale is because of the growing presence — and some deem it —the dominance of the foreign student-athletes. By implementing the Best Foreign Student-Athlete award, we ensure that if an FSA leads the statistical points race, they are duly recognized, while still allowing a local student-athlete to be awarded MVP," he added.
Locals as MVPs
Kevin Quiambao of DLSU earned the men's basketball MVP title in Seasons 86 and 87. Prior to him, the award was dominated by FSAs such as Ivory Coast native Ange Kouame (Ateneo), Nigerian Bright Akuetie (UP), Cameroonian Ben Mbala (DLSU), and Beninese Soulemane Chabi Yo (UST).
Other honors, including membership in the All-UAAP Teams or Mythical Teams, will still be available to the top international student-athlete.
