Karl Pingol not only bagged MVP honors but also earned a place in the renamed UAAP “Elite Team” with teammates Tin Cayabyab and Angel Suarada, plus Ateneo’s Kacey Dela Rosa and UST’s Kent Pastrana.
There’s a new queen ruling National U—and the entire UAAP.
Karl Ann Pingol has officially stepped into the spotlight as the league’s Season 88 women’s basketball Most Valuable Player during a pre-game ceremony on Wednesday, December 10.
Pingol denied two-time reigning award Kacey Dela Rosa her three-peat, becoming the first MVP from National U since Jack Animam in 2017.
[ALSO READ: NU’s Karl Ann Pingol on track to deny Kacey Dela Rosa’s MVP three-peat bid in UAAP women’s]
She averaged 14.3 points, 8.9 rebounds, 5.1 assists, and 3.6 steals during the elimination round, propelling NU to earn the second-seed and is now one win shy of defending their title against the no. 1 UST Growling Tigresses.
The 24-year-old graduating winger also became just the third player in NU’s women’s basketball program to claim the MVP honors.
Pingol’s dominance was further highlighted as she joined NU teammates Tin Cayabyab and Angel Surada in the newly renamed UAAP Elite Team—formerly the Mythical Team or All-UAAP Team—alongside Dela Rosa and UST standout Kent Pastrana.
[ALSO READ: Angel Surada out to make most of last UAAP games with NU Lady Bulldog]
The league also celebrated the future of women’s basketball, awarding Ateneo’s Erica De Luna the Rookie of the Year trophy.
De Luna impressed throughout her first season, averaging 7.5 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 2.6 assists, even as the Blue Eagles bowed out to National U in the stepladder semifinals.
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Pao Ambat earned his journalism degree from Cavite State University in 2022.
Passionate about sports from a young age, he primarily covers the NBA for One Sports, while also assisting in reporting on the PVL, PBA, UAAP, and other leagues.