Collegiate Mythical Five bared

The UAAP-NCAA Press Corps has assembled five of the most decorated players on one team in time for the 2009 Collegiate Basketball Dinner-Awards Party presented by Smart Sports set this Sunday at the Kamayan EDSA in Greenhills.

University of Santo Tomas' Dylan Ababou, Jose Rizal University's John Wilson, Ateneo's Rabeh Al-Hussaini, San Sebastian's Jimbo Aquino and San Beda's Sudan Daniel were recognized in this elite class for their individual accomplishments this season.

They will share the spotlight alongside Ateneo's Norman Black and San Sebastian's Ato Agustin in this special night presented by the UAAP-NCAA Press Corps and Smart Sports and supported by the Philippine Sports Commission chaired by Harry Angping, Accel, FilOil-Flying V and San Miguel Corporation.

Ababou won the UAAP Most Valuable Player in his final year in the collegiate ranks after leading the league in scoring (18.9 points per game) and guided the Growling Tigers to their third Final Four appearance in the last four seasons.

Despite failing to end the Heavy Bombers' 37-year title drought, Wilson played the best season of his career averaging 19.2 points and dropped 48 points on College of Saint Benilde during one game to bag the NCAA MVP honors.

Although not as dominant as last season, the 6-foot-7 Al-Hussaini was able to snare the Finals MVP honors for leading the Blue Eagles to their second straight UAAP crown against the upset-hungry UE Red Warriors.

Al-Hussaini also earned the distinction as the second player to be named in the Mythical Five twice, joining ex-Ateneo teammate Chris Tiu (2007 and 2008).

After getting disqualified from the Mythical Five award, Aquino spearheaded the Stags' amazing run in winning the NCAA title and took home the Finals MVP trophy after sweeping the defending champion San Beda Red Lions in the finals.

Daniel, the 6-foot-8 American recruit from Los Angeles, soared high with his thunderous dunks and inside presence and was an integral part of the Red Lions' fourth consecutive finals appearance despite the loss of Nigerian big man Sam Ekwe.

Past members of the Collegiate Mythical Five were Jervy Cruz, Rico Maierhofer, Ekwe, Mark Borboran, Kelvin dela Pena, Jason Ballesteros and Yousif Aljamal. (UAAP-NCAA Press Corps)