University of the Philippines
Diliman

University of the Philippines
Diliman

Students

UPIS players bag UAAP awards

Alyana Fabella and Charlize Yamo, UPDIO Interns - Diliman Information Office
April 12, 2023 | UPDate Online > Students
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Two players of the UP Integrated School (UPIS) Junior Fighting Maroons basketball team were recently recognized at the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 85 high school basketball boys awarding ceremony on March 17 at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.

Kobe Demisana and Daryl Valdeavilla were awarded the Mythical Five and Rookie of the Year titles, respectively.

Congratulatory poster for Demisana and Valdeavilla. Image from the UPIS Junior Fighting Maroons Facebook page

Demisana, the team’s small forward, power forward, and center, garnered 83.643 statistical points (SPs) this season. This made him one of the top five players in the tournament with the highest SPs. He contributed an average of 17.64 points, 12.64 rebounds, 2.64 assists, 2.14 steals, and 4.07 blocks per game to the UPIS Junior Fighting Maroons.

Demisana said individual awards are just a bonus to him for, “Hindi ko makukuha iyon if wala ang mga teammate and coach ko.”

This will be the last time Demisana, who joined the team in 2020, is playing in the junior basketball division. He thanked all those who watched their games.

“Playing for the UPIS community is an honor.Grabe sila mag-support, they are there every game, and alam ko walang tatalo sa support ng UP community,” he said.

Demisana (left) with UAAP President Emmanuel Calanog. Photo from the UAAP Media Bureau

Demisana is joined by National University Nazareth School’s Reinhard Jumamoy; Ateneo de Manila’s Kristian Porter; De La Salle Santiago Zobel’s Rhyle Melencio; and Far Eastern University-Diliman’s John Rey Pasaol in the Mythical Five.

Meanwhile, team point guard and shooting guard Valdeavilla won the Rookie of the Year award after amassing 54.75 SPS, averaging 14 points, 4.75 rebounds, 2.75 assists, and 1.83 steals.

UPIS won the award back-to-back after Jean Lorenz Canillas took home the title last season.

The award came as a surprise to Valdeavilla, who never expected to be crowned Rookie of the Year.

“I just did my very best to help the team. [I’m] also thankful dahil naging worth it lahat ng pagod at stress,” he said.

He also shared how he felt about his first UAAP tournament.

“Kahit manalo o matalo, it helped the team to learn, grow, and focus on what we can improve,” he said.

Valdeavilla. Photo from the UAAP Media Bureau

Valdeavilla plans to keep on playing and representing UPIS in the future and hopefully win the championship title.