Harold Alarcon tempers expectations for UAAP Season 86 after winning Filoil MVP

June 21, 2023 Times Europe

UP Fighting Maroons’ Harold Alarcon wins Filoil Preseason MVP award. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines—Harold Alarcon took home three trophies at the conclusion of the Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup–the championship, a Mythical Five selection, and the Most Valuable Player plum.

Alarcon scored nine points and three rebounds in the Fighting Maroons’ 87-76 victory over La Salle in the preseason finale, but it was his performance in the whole tournament stint that got him the honor.

In 12 games, Alarcon posted averages of 12.3 points, 5.3 rebounds and 3.2 assists for UP, but he downplayed the expectations that come from his preseason showing.

“Maybe all I could say right now is (to have) no expectations because the UAAP has a different ambiance with its games,” he said after also being part of the league’s five best players.

Filoil Preseason Cup Mythical 5 selection. –MARLO CUETO/INQURIER.net

Joining Alarcon in the mythical team are fellow UP mainstay Malick Diouf, La Salle’s Evan Nelle and Kevin Quiambao and Perpetual Help’s Art Roque.

Diouf nearly averaged a double-double with 13.3 points and 9.0 rebounds per game. Green Archers Nelle and Quiambao, meanwhile, normed 7.9 and 17.2 points per outing.

Roque’s averages of 13.4 markers and 4.5 boards earned him a spot in the mythical team but it was not just him who won an award in the Perpetual Help side.

Cyrus Nitura capped off the list of awardees after securing the Best Defensive Player of the tournament honor. He finished with two steals and a block in the Altas’ final game earlier against National University where they lost, 85-77.