Jumbo Plastic-Basilan Peace Riders guard Hesed Gabo was named the Most Valuable Player of the 2021 Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas VisMin Super Cup Mindanao Leg on Sunday.
Gabo played a key role in Basilan’s perfect 8-0 run through the elimination round that netted the Peace Riders an automatic ticket to the finals. Gabo played superb basketball during that stretch as he averaged 10.3 points, 7.4 assists, and 3.3 rebounds.
He also made the league’s second-ever triple-double with 11 points, 10 rebounds, and 17 assists in a 140-106 victory over MisOr last July 23.
Gabo’s 17 dimes also set a new record for most assists in VisMin history, shattering Jerick Cañada’s 15-assist record during the Visayas Leg earlier this year.
Joining Gabo in the Mythical Team were teammate Michael Mabulac, MVP runner-up James Castro (Petra Cement-Roxas), John Wilson (Clarin), and Jerwin Gaco (Zamboanga City).
Castro was the man who stepped up for the Vanguards during their five-game win streak in the eliminations.
In those five games, he averaged 16. 4 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 6.4 assists. Meanwhile, in their three defeats, he only had 6.6 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 1.7 assists.
Wilson made history as the first-ever player to produce a triple-double in league history, unloading 19 points, 15 rebounds, and 10 assists in a 98-65 win over Iligan on July 20.
Bruising big men Mabulac and Gaco each delivered two double-doubles for their squads.
Rich Guinitaran was the runaway winner for the Top Homegrown Player plum, boasting averages of 15.4 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 2.1 assists while leading Pagadian to the third seed. (JNP)