THIRDY  AND JUAN GDL AFTER THE GAME

The Blue Eagles defeated the Fighting Maroons 99-81 to win a second UAAP men’s basketball title and their 10th overall.

The Ateneo Blue Eagles aim to end the best-of-3 title series when they battle the UP Fighting Maroons in Game 2 of the UAAP Season 81 men’s basketball finals at Araneta Coliseum on Wednesday.

Will the defending champions’ poise again be a factor, as they go for title No. 10? Or do the challengers on the other end of Katipunan have it in them to take this series to a third and deciding game?

UAAP: Ahead of clash, MVP Akhuetie and top rookie Kouame receive awards

Before they battle each other in Game 2 of the UAAP Season 81 men’s basketball finals, big men Bright Akhuetie and Ange Kouame received individual awards for their efforts in the elimination round.

Akhuetie formally accepted his Most Valuable Player award, after averaging 18.9 points and 14.6 rebounds per game for the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons. He is the first UP player to be named MVP since Eric Altamirano in 1986

Meanwhile, Kouame won Rookie of the Year honors after averaging 14.4 points, 13.6 rebounds, and 3.2 blocks per game for the top-seeded Blue Eagles. He is the first Atenean to receive the top rookie award since Arvin Tolentino in Season 77. He is also the first foreign student-athlete to win the trophy.