TWO MVPs, one goal.
Reigning MVP Clint Escamis of Mapua University and last season’s finals MVP James Payosing of defending champion San Beda University are showing no signs of slowing down in leading their teams’ campaign in the 100th NCAA basketball tournament.
The Cardinals sealed a Final Four slot last week when they picked up their 11th win in 14 games, along with league-leader College of St. Benilde, both with 12-2 cards.
Escamis, who also won the Rookie of the Year plum last season, insisted Mapua is far from done in its bid to atone for a sorry loss in the Big Dance last year to the Red Lions.
“Siyempre, pinaghirapan din namin iyon and grateful kami kasi alam namin na underdog kami and hindi dapat kami magkumpiyansa kasi kailangan pa ring magtrabaho. Hindi porket sure na sa Final Four, trip to the finals na rin, kailangan ma-clinch iyong twice-to-beat and (hopefully) mag-finals,” the 5-foot-11 guard said.
“Ang No. 1 goal namin makabawi kami sa lahat ng teams na tinalo kami (in the first-round eliminations) – Lyceum, San Beda and CSB. Gustong-gusto naming (bawian CSB) kasi siyempre sila iyong No. 1 and hopefully, if matalo sila (CSB), ma-clinch namin iyong No. 1 and iyon ang gusto namin talaga,” he added.
San Beda’s sights are trained on making it to the Last Four and retaining the crown.
Payosing, who had a breakout game last week after struggling this season, remains patient even on bad days, asserting his proper preparation and mindset to help the Lions.
“Tiwala lang, same last year, and parang ginagawa ko lang iyong ginagawa ko last year like hard work lang and darating na rin iyang kumpiyansa ko kasi preparation ko and kahit nagi-struggle ako, kinuha ko iyong confidence ko sa preparation ko kasi opportunity every game nandoon lang iyan lagi and prepare lang ako lagi and mindset ko lang,” Payosing said.
“Hindi ko kasi iniisip iyon (finals) MVP ako so parang wala akong pakialam sa kanila kung ano iyong expectations nila, kasi ako gagawin ko anuman iyong gagawin ko.”
