Cruz, Jugo claim MYBall MVP titles

MANILA, Philippines - La Salle Green Hills stars Benedict Cruz and Julian Jugo bagged the Most Valuable Player awards in separate divisions after powering the Greenies to a double championship in the Growee-MYBall Metro Invitational recently.

Cruz won the MVP in the Contender division (12-14 age group) and led the Mythical team that included teammates Joshua Marcos and Joshua Boo, Ateneo’s Rebi Andres and National University’s Rhyyan Amsali.

Jugo, on the other hand, captured the top individual award in the Mini division (9-11 age group) and landed a spot in the Mythical five with teammates  Dominic Panlilio and  Matthew Concepcion, Ateneo’s  Elijah Nadal and Marist’s  Jethro Escoth.

The Greenies outlasted the Ateneo Blue Eaglets in a pair of do-or-die finals to sweep the two divisions for the second straight season.

Luccio del Rosario, who clinched the Finals MVP after exploding for a game-high 24 points, led the Greenies to a 75-59 rout of rival Blue Eaglets in the Contender finals.

In the Mini finals, the Greenies leaned on Finals MVP Nico Saubier to turn back the Blue Eaglets, 59-54.

Other individual winners were Rookies of the Year Mai-Mai Cagulangan of LSGH (Contender) and Marist’s Jethro Escoto (Mini), while Ateneo swept the Coaches of the Year with Reggie Varila  (Contender) and Monroe Cueson (Mini).

Diana Lao, brand manager for Growee Syrup, Pediatrica Inc. and Rico Perez and Clarence Aytona of MYBall, Inc. led the awarding of the team and individual winners.