MAPUA University guard Clint Escamis isn’t the reigning MVP for nothing.
Escamis boomed in what turned out to be game-winning three-pointer as the Cardinals nipped the College of St. Benilde Blazers 75-73 yesterday in the 100th NCAA basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan.
Down by a point with less than four seconds to go, Escamis stole the leather from Blazer Allen Liwag, ran the length of the floor, and knocked down the buzzer-beating triple.
Escamis dropped a game-high 26 points, five rebounds, and four assists for Mapua while Lawrence Mangubat chipped in 12 markers, two boards, and two dimes.
Yam Concepcion, who fouled out in the fourth quarter, finished with 11 and five as the Cards rose to 13-3 in a tie with CSB.
“I think, si God na iyon. So, down by 20 points, of course siyempre kilala naman natin si Clint pero of course kung walang guidance ni Lord on that, ganoong team ‘di ba, tinignan ko nga iyong stats, 30 rebounds lang paano naman kami mananalo niyan, ‘di ba? Defensive rebounds lang nila iyon. Miracle shot. Thank you, Lord,” Mapua coach Randy Alcantara said.
“Hustle, defense, iyon lang iyon tapos sabi ko nga paano mo ma-scout iyong gustong-gusto manalo at may malaking puso,” he added.
Later, Letran downed defending champion San Beda University 75-71 to stay in the hunt for a Final Four slot.
Letran’s triumph gifted the Blazers and the Cards twice-to-beat while improving to 8-9.
Rookie Jimboy Estrada scored 24 points, grabbed five rebounds, and issued nine assists while Kobe Monje, Deo Cuajao and Nat Montecillo added 15, 11, and 10 markers, respectively for the Knights.
“Ang sabi ko sa mga bata this is a do-or-die Sunday, so you know, ibigay na natin lahat, huwag na tayo magtipid and especially on the defensive end, nag-work naman iyong game plan namin so that’s why we stayed in the game,” Letran tactician Allen Ricardo said. “Ang hirap kasi kapag tatapat-tapatan mo lang iyong San Beda all throughout. Ang galing nila mag-execute. Knowing coach Yuri (Escueta) and his coaching staff, magaling talaga sa execution.”
Despite the defeat, the Lions have already clinched a semifinals berth.
Liwag’s 15 and 13 were not enough for CSB along with the 10 points apiece from Ian Torres, Gab Cometa and Matthew Oli.
James Payosing and Jomel Puno had 16 and 15 points, respectively for San Beda while Bismarck Lina added 10.
