Clint Escamis, center, and the Mapua Cardinals in Game 1 of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Season 100 Finals.–NCAA PHOTO
Clint Escamis was overly disillusioned during last season’s championship collapse, which left the rookie MVP deeply scarred.
These wounds will quickly heal with another Mapua victory over the College of St. Benilde in the title game for the historic NCAA Season 100 basketball trophy after a Game 1 victory that was felt everywhere.
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“I always remind my teammates what we went through last year after the Finals,” Escamis said after scoring 30 points to lead the Cardinals past the Blazers 84-73 on Sunday. “Now we are here and this is our chance to get back on our feet.”
Escamis dropped 22 of his total goals in the first half on the Blazers’ collective chins as the Cardinals found themselves on the cusp of a much-cherished game after two disappointing appearances in the Big Dance in the previous three seasons.
“It feels good to get the first game, but our job is not done yet,” Escamis continued. “I learned a lot last year (from our failed bid) that you don’t win Game 1 (the title after winning).”
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The Cardinals are in the same situation as last season, when they won the opener of the best-of-three championship series only to lose their title shot to the San Beda Red Lions.
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JC Recto came off the bench to help keep the Blazers in control, finishing with 15 points, while Chris Hubilla hounded 6-foot-1 Allen Liwag throughout the game, posting nine points and nine rebounds despite the height difference achieved.
The Cardinals, whose last triumph came in 1991, also made it to the finals in the ’97 season and lost to the Letran Knights.
“I have become more mature compared to last season. “I realized you can’t win a championship with just one player, it’s really a team effort,” Escamis said.
The Cardinals forced the Blazers into a series of turnovers and barely faltered after taking control early, finishing with 19 steals that came from sheer guts and hustle – five thanks to Escamis.
There were signs of collapse in the third quarter when the Blazers got within 44-43 after a Liwag basket, but the Cardinals, experienced with the overwhelming atmosphere and pressure of the Finals, held the upper hand.
Sophomore forwards Jeco Bancale and John Jabonete rose to the occasion and stymied the Blazers’ efforts at a comeback.
Recto shot a three-pointer, and Jabonete’s own three-pointer and a drive pushed them to a 13-point lead in the final three minutes.
Liwag scored 18 points and 14 rebounds in a loss, with veteran guard Gab Cometa contributing 13 for the Blazers, who look to restart the series in Game 2 on Saturday.
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“One more game, one more game,” Escamis told his teammates as the Mapua anthem played before a sea of yellow and red celebrating at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. INQ
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