Alfafara, Espejo lead MVP race

Games tomorrow (The Arena, San Juan)

8 a.m. – ADMU vs UE (men)

10 a.m. – UP vs NU (men)

2 p.m. – UP vs ADMU (women)

4 p.m. – UE vs DLSU (women)

MANILA, Philippines - UST’s Mark Alfafara and Marck Espejo of Ateneo, the MVPs in the last two UAAP men’s volleyball seasons, are locked in a tight race this early for the league’s highest individual award.

Alfafara, the Season 75 MVP, leads all comers in scoring with 106 points on 95 spikes, eight blocks and three service aces, while Espejo, who is last season’s Rookie-MVP, is running second with 93 points on 78 attacks, eight blocks and seven service winners.

Rounding up the Top 5 are University of the East rookie Edward Camposano (82 points), Alfafara’s teammate Romnick Rico (81) and National University’s Fauzi Ismail (76).

Three players from the unbeaten Bulldogs are leading in three key statistical departments based on the figures released by the league’s official statistician TMX Sports.

Ismail tops in spiking with a 56.80 success rating, while Season 76 Finals MVP Peter Torres has a league-best 1.11 average per set in blocks and Vince Mangulabnan leads in service with a 0.56 average per set.

Adamson libero Rence Melgar is lording it over in digs (3.05 average per set) and receive (46.89 percent efficiency rating), while Ateneo playmaker Ish Polvorosa rules in setting with a 9.11 average per set.

The three-peat seeking Bulldogs are perfect in five starts, while the Growling Tigers and the Falcons are in joint second with a 4-1 card.

The Blue Eagles overcame early struggles by winning two straight to place fourth with a 3-2 slate.

Action in the men’s division resumes tomorrow after a two-week Christmas break at The Arena in San Juan, with NU eyeing to stay unbeaten against University of the Philippines at 10 a.m., right after Ateneo and UE clash at 8 a.m.