THERE was little to no celebration among Mapua University players, their coaches, and staff after the final buzzer sounded yesterday.
For good reason. The Cardinals have been there and done that—they know this Big Dance is far from done.
With reigning MVP Clint Escamis taking charge, Mapua turned back College of St. Benilde 84-73 in Game 1 of their best-of-3 finals duel for the 100th NCAA basketball tournament crown at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
“Marami akong natutunan since last year. You don’t win the championship in Game 1, knowing that from last year (experience) so the job’s not finished,” Escamis said. “Kailangan lang mas tutukan pa kasi i-instill namin sa mga rookies na celebrate now, go back to work tomorrow.
“Iyong scouting pa rin, tatrabahuhin pa rin namin, mga lapses namin kanina kasi nga nakapuntos pa rin si Allen Liwag kasi iyon iyong main guy nila so kailangan pa rin naming tutukan iyon,” he added.
After a career-best 33 points in their 89-79 victory over Lyceum in the Final Four last Nov. 23, Escamis notched a game-high 30 markers, to go with four assists and five steals, while JC Recto added 15 points, three rebounds, two dimes and a steal.
Rookie Chris Hubilla also had nine markers and nine boards while Lawrence Mangubat and John Jabonete combined for 16.
The Intramuros-based quintet can end a long and agonizing 33-year title dry spell on Saturday, Dec. 7, also at the Big Dome.
A deciding third match, if necessary, will be played on Dec. 14 at the same venue.
Escamis torched the Blazers with 22 points in the first half where the Cards raced to a 42-37 lead.
The Randy Alcantara-mentored Mapua side was still in control 57-48 going into the payoff period.
The Cards led by as much as 62-48 early in the fourth quarter.
Allen Liwag’s double-double outing of 18 points and 14 caroms went in vain for CSB.
Gab Cometa and Jhomel Ancheta also had 13 and 10 markers, respectively, for the Blazers, who are bidding to finally win it all since 2000.
But if CSB cannot find an answer to Escamis and Mapua, it will be the Cards who will whoop it up in the centennial season of the country’s oldest collegiate league.
