MANILA, Philippines – Clint Escamis knew he cannot win a championship on his own.
True enough, Escamis’ supporting cast delivered when it mattered most for Mapua, which ended a decades-long title drought after a 94-82 triumph over St. Benilde in the NCAA Season 100 men’s basketball finals at the Araneta Coliseum on Saturday, December 7.
Marc Cuenco helped Escamis carry the offensive load and finished with a team-high 19 points to go with 4 assists as the Cardinals — playing in the finals for the third time in four seasons — completed a sweep of the best-of-three series to capture their first championship since 1991.
Cuenco could not have picked a better time to explode after scoring just 4 points in their 84-73 win in Game 1 on December 1.
Named to the Mythical Team, Escamis got limited to 18 points after back-to-back 30-point performances, although he found no need to shoulder the scoring burden, thanks to the contributions of Cuenco, Chris Hubilla, and Lawrence Mangubat.
Mangubat fired 17 points built on 4-of-6 clip from three-point range, while Hubilla — the Rookie and Freshman of the Year — produced 15 points, 8 rebounds, and 2 steals as Mapua got the job done at last after a heartbreaking runner-up finish in Season 99.
Escamis missed a huge chunk of the third quarter due to cramps, but the Cardinals entered the final period up by double digits, 66-56, behind timely buckets from Cuenco and Mangubat.
The Cardinals were never threatened the rest of the way as their lead swelled to its biggest at 82-66 off a three-pointer by Escamis, who earned the Finals MVP honors, with over four minutes remaining.
“I’m overjoyed. Finally, we got it after three tries in the finals,” said Mapua head coach Randy Alcantara, who was a member of the Cardinals’ last championship squad 33 years ago.
Justine Sanchez rose to the occasion and finished with 24 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 steals, but his efforts went down the drain as the Blazers settled for second for the second time in three seasons.
Crowned this season’s MVP and Defensive Player of the Year, Allen Liwag put up 14 points and 10 rebounds in the losing effort.
The Scores
Mapua 94 – Cuenco 19, Escamis 18, Mangubat 17, Hubilla 15, Recto 9, Igliane 8, Bancale 6, Garcia 2, Concepcion 0, Fermin 0.
St. Benilde 82 – Sanchez 24, Ynot 17, Liwag 14, Sangco 7, Oli 7, Torres 5, Ancheta 4, Ondoa 2, Eusebio 2, Cometa 0, Cajucom 0.
Quarters: 24-23, 45-37, 66-56, 94-82.
– Rappler.com