By ADRIAN STEWART CO

Negrense Joncriz Ayco of the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Junior Golden Spikers emerged as the Most Valuable Player (MVP) in the UAAP Season 86 high school boys volleyball tournament.

The Negros Occidental’s Cadiz City-native Ayco took home the individual award after playing a key role in the Junior Golden Spikers’ fourth place finish in the ongoing tournament.

According to Ayco, he was surprised to win the MVP trophy, but it will serve as a motivation for him to improve his game further and help the Junior Golden Spikers achieve a better finish next season.

“Sa totoo lang, hindi ko po ini-expect na makukuha ko po itong [MVP] kasi marami pong mas magagaling na players kaysa sa akin this season,” Ayco said in a post-awarding interview.

“Pero gagamitin ko po itong MVP award na ito as a motivation na galingan pa po, i-improve ‘yung skills, at gawin ‘yung tama sa court next season,” the Negrense opposite hitter added.

Ayco, however, was unable to help the Junior Golden Spikers reach the championship round after bowing to the National University Nazareth School Bullpups in the semifinal round.

Aside from the MVP crown, Ayco also copped Best Opposite Hitter, while UST teammates Paolo Medino and Sean Cruz took one of the Best Outside Hitter and Best Middle Blocker trophies, respectively.

Bacolodnon Rhodson Du-ot, the team captain of dethroned champion Far Eastern University-Diliman Baby Tamaraws, was adjudged as the winner of the Best Setter award.

Du-ot and the Baby Tamaraws, for their part, also fell short of winning their second consecutive championship after bowing to the University of the East Junior Red Warriors in the semis.

Bullpups’ Miguel Egger was named the Best Middle Blocker for the second straight season and Adamson University Baby Falcons’ John Ian Guevarra won the Best Libero citation./ASC, WDJ