John Wilson wins much-awaited Lakan Season MVP, Ayonayon part of All-MPBL First Team

A year-long wait was all worth it for San Juan Knights’ skipper John Wilson, as he bagged a well-deserved Most Valuable Player award for the Lakan Season of the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League, with the ceremonies held before game four of the National Finals in Subic.

The 34 year-old sniper from Binangonan came with historic milestones twice this season, after notching game averages of 20.2 points, 6.3 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 2.3 steals.

Away at Pampanga last September 2019, he set the league’s single-game record when he torched the Lanters for 44 in their overtime win at their AUF floor.

Then in their final regular season homestand against Pasig, he was the league’s pioneer for the thousand-point club as he led San Juan to a seven-game sweep at the FilOil FlyingV Centre.

"I worked a lot for this award. I spent more time working out than with my family. I spend six times a week for training. Deserve ko talaga ito," he said.

Wilson was used in getting those kinds of awards, having won the same accolade in 2009 in the NCAA for Jose Rizal in which he fired for a career-high 48 against St. Benilde.

Joining him in the All-MPBL First Team was his San Juan teammate and reigning Finals MVP Mike Ayonayon, Mark Yee of Davao Occidental who was also the league’s top defensive player, Pasig’s Jeric Teng and Makati’s Jeckster Apinan.

Former league MVP Gab Banan of Bacoor paraded the league’s second team, which has the Manila pair of Chris Bitoon and Aris Dionisio, GenSan’s Pamboy Raymundo and Pasay’s Dhon Reverente.

Nueva Ecija owner Bong Cuevas was hailed as the Executive of the Year, with him initiated the Subic Bubble to conclude the season.

Rounding up the awarding ceremonies was DavOcc’s Billy Ray Robles who took home the Sportsmanship award.

PHOTOS: MPBL (header), Harold Biado/San Juan Knights (file)