ARCHIE Concepcion lost no time to prove he belonged, emerging as MVP of the 5-on-5 tournament of the PBA Draft Combine that came to a conclusion Wednesday night at the Gatorade Hoops Center in Mandaluyong.
Concepcion, the former Arellano forward, had a consistent game for NLEX in a 78-71 win over Phoenix on the final day of the event that precedes Sunday's Rookie Draft at the Market! Market! In Taguig.
He finished with 14 points behind the game-high 21 points of Raymond Binuya and proved to be a steady presence in the win that was worth P50,000 for the champion.
For winning the MVP plum, Concepcion also took home P5,000 and another P5,000 for being named in the Mythical Team.
Joining Concepcion in the Mythical selection were Warren Bonifacio, Adrian Nocum, Ralph Cu, and Concepcion's NLEX teammate Jayson Apolonio.
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"Sobrang saya na nakuha ko yung MVP. Pero bonus na lang ito. Ang importante naipakita namin yung talent namin at kung ano ang meron kami sa basketball," he said afterwards.
PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial graced the awarding ceremony that followed the championship match, along with Barangay Ginebra star LA Tenorio, who is also Gatorade Brand Ambassador, Deputy Commissioner Eric Castro, Gatorade sports marketing director Ton Gatmaitan, and Activation Director Tammy Ferrer.
Also awarded were the individuals who excelled in the respective skills sets players were made to undergo on the opening day of the Draft Combine.
The awardees include Rhinwil Yambing (Best in standing vertical jump), Larry Arpia (Best in max vertical jump), Kenneth Villapando (Best in 3/4 court sprint), Alwin Margallo (Best in lane agility), Bryan Santos (Most hydrated player), and the quartet of Kim Aurin, Jose Carlos Cullar, John Winifredo Gob II, and Enoch Valdez (Best in reaction test).
Meanwhile, Kenneth Tuffin also went home with P5,000 for topping the three-point shootout.(RG)
