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The crowning moment of UAAP Season 87 men's volleyball Most Valuable Player Kennedy Batas. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News
MANILA — Newly crowned UAAP Season 87 men's volleyball tournament Most Valuable Player Kennedy Batas vowed to return stronger, aiming to settle some "unfinished business" in Season 88.
"Hindi pa ako tapos sa UAAP. Meron pa akong goal [para] sa sarili ko and sa team," said Batas after he won the honor on Wednesday at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City, moments before Game 2 of the Finals.
READ: UAAP: Ateneo’s Batas to be crowned MVP, UST’s Macam is top rookie
Ateneo de Manila University's Batas rose to the occasion, garnering 79.815 statistical points (SP), just surpassing De La Salle University’s Noel Kampton (74.906 SP) and the University of Santo Tomas troika of JJ Macam (74.681 SP), two-time MVP Josh Ybañez (74.255 SP), and Popoy Colinares (71.064 SP).
This was Batas' first individual award, alongside a Best Outside Spiker citation.
Batas said he could not just let go of the UAAP because this was his ultimate dream.
"Sa akin talaga, pinaka-motivation ko is 'yung UAAP talaga, sobrang dream ko talaga siya. Hindi ko siya nakuha nang basta-basta. ‘Yon 'yung naging reason kaya gusto ko bumalik."
READ: UAAP: FEU out to end NU's dynasty in men's volleyball
He gave credit to Ateneo's system, his teammates, and his coach after winning the MVP nod.
"Credits lahat ito sa teammates ko and sa coaches ko. This is possible because of them naman. Siguro statement ito na may ibubuga pa ako next year. See you next season," said the Blue Eagles standout.
"Siguro it’s a booster for me na kailangan ko pang hindi mag-eend dito 'yung journey ko. Kailangan maghard work pa rin. Siguro inspiration na rin samin ito sa team na if kinaya ko, then kakayanin nila."