Despite FEU falling short of a UAAP Final Four berth, Tamaraws guard Janrey Pasaol found consolation in winning the Season 88 Most Valuable Player award.
Charging toward the UAAP men’s basketball summit is Janrey Pasaol — and Season 88 finally gave him his crowning moment.
Pasaol was officially crowned as this season's Most Valuable Player moments before Game 2 of the Finals between the UP Fighting Maroons and the DLSU Green Archers on Sunday, Dec. 14, at the Mall of Asia Arena.
The honor served as a fitting consolation for the 22-year-old guard as the FEU Tamaraws narrowly missed the Final Four for the fourth consecutive year.
[ALSO READ: Sean Chambers proud of FEU's growth as team exceeds expectations in UAAP]
With the accolade, Pasaol became FEU’s first MVP since Terrence Romeo claimed the award in Season 76 back in 2013.
[ALSO READ: FEU’s Janrey Pasaol charges as UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball MVP frontrunner]
He capped the eliminations with averages of 15.4 points, 4.1 rebounds, 7.5 assists, and 2.1 steals, winning the league’s top individual prize in the same year he represented Gilas Pilipinas in 3x3 basketball at SEA Games 2025.
[ALSO READ: Gilas Men miss out on bronze as Malaysia wins maiden SEAG 3x3 basketball medal]
In addition to MVP honors, Pasaol was named to the Elite Team, alongside Mike Phillips of La Salle, Jake Figueroa of NU, and UST’s Nic Cabañero and Collins Akowe.
Akowe, for his part, also claimed Rookie of the Year honors after a stellar debut season.
He averaged 16.43 points, 14.5 rebounds, and 1.57 blocks during the eliminations, helping lead the Growling Tigers to an 8-6 record before falling to UP in the Final Four.
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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.