MANILA, Philippines – Mapua star Clint Escamis rode a scorching start and the rest followed suit as the Cardinals moved on the cusp of ending a 33-year NCAA title drought.
Escamis fired 30 points on top of 5 steals and 4 assists as Mapua drew first blood against St. Benilde in the best-of-three Season 100 men’s basketball finals after an 84-73 win at the Araneta Coliseum on Sunday, December 1.
The reigning MVP poured 17 points in the opening quarter before the likes of JC Recto, Chris Hubilla, and John Jabonete picked up where Escamis left off in the resounding win that saw the Cardinals lead by as many as 14 points.
Recto came off the bench and produced 15 points, Hubilla posted 9 points and 8 rebounds, while Jabonete put up 8 points and 6 rebounds.
Escamis’ offense slowed down in the fourth quarter as he scored just 2 points in the period, but Recto and Jabonete rose to the occasion for Mapua.
Jabonete scattered all of his 8 points in the final frame, while Recto added 5 points in the period as the Cardinals inched closer at capturing their first title since Season 67 in 1991 after finals heartbreaks in Seasons 97 and 99.
“My teammates trusted me and they were giving me the ball in the first quarter. In the end, I trusted my teammates to take it home for us,” said Escamis in a mix of Filipino and English.
“I need to make the right reads in the right situations to involve my teammates because they’re also a big part of this.”
Rookie guard Lawrence Mangubat also delivered with 8 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 steals for Mapua, which picked up its 11th straight win.
While the elusive crown is within reach for the Cardinals, Escamis wants the team to stay on its toes, having been in the same situation last year only to fall short of the title.
Escamis and Mapua also clinched Game 1 of the Season 99 finals but fizzled out and witnessed San Beda win Games 2 and 3 en route to a record-extending 23rd championship.
“You don’t win a championship in Game 1, knowing that from last year. Job’s not finished. We need to focus more,” said Escamis.
Allen Liwag paced the Blazers with 18 points, 14 rebounds, and 3 blocks, Gab Cometa had 13 points, while Jhomel Ancheta tallied 10 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists.
Mark Sangco added 9 points in the losing effort, including the bucket that allowed Benilde to pull within 43-44 early in the third quarter.
But the Cardinals ended the period on a 13-5 run to mount a 57-48 cushion then pushed their lead to its biggest at 62-48 off a Jabonete three-point play.
Mapua will shoot for a title series sweep in Game 2 on Saturday, December 7.
The Scores
Mapua 84 – Escamis 30, Recto 15, Hubilla 9, Mangubat 8, Jabonete 8, Cuenco 4, Concepcion 4, Bancale 3, Igliane 3, Ryan 0, Abdulla 0.
St. Benilde 73 – Liwag 18, Cometa 13, Ancheta 10, Sangco 9, Sanchez 9, Ynot 7, Oli 3, Torres 2, Eusebio 2, Morales 0.
Quarters: 26-20, 42-37, 57-48, 84-73.
– Rappler.com