By ADRIAN STEWART CO

University of Santo Tomas (UST) standout Kent Pastrana and De La Salle University star Mike Phillips will be the top basketball awardees in the 2026 Collegiate Press Corps Awards after being named the Women’s and Men’s Basketball Players of the Year, respectively.

The Negrense Pastrana earned the distinction after leading the Growling Tigresses back to the UAAP women’s basketball throne, steering UST past defending champion National University in the Season 88 finals.

The Gilas Pilipinas campaigner averaged 13 points, 7.7 rebounds, 5.3 assists, and 3.8 steals per game while claiming finals MVP honors.

Phillips, likewise, capped another outstanding collegiate season by powering the Green Archers to their second UAAP men’s basketball championship in three years.

The dominant big man averaged 13.3 points and 13.7 rebounds per contest and was also named finals MVP following De La Salle University’s title-clinching victory over the University of the Philippines.

The two champions will also headline the Women’s and Men’s Mythical Teams during the annual awards ceremony presented by Strong Group Athletics.

Joining Pastrana in the Women’s Mythical Team are National University’s Ann Pingol and Tin Cayabyab, Ateneo de Manila University’s Kacey dela Rosa, and fellow UST player Brigette Santos.

Meanwhile, Phillips is joined in the Men’s Mythical Team by Collins Akowe of UST, Jonathan Manalili of Colegio de San Juan de Letran, Janti Miller of San Beda University, and Janrey Pasaol of Far Eastern University.

Pastrana and Phillips lead the 26 student-athletes set to be recognized during the Collegiate Press Corps Awards at Discovery Suites Manila in Ortigas, Pasig./ASC, WDJ