FROM hitting rock bottom early in his collegiate career to spearheading a squad to the Promised Land, Mapua University star Clint Escamis proved that patience and resiliency will pay off at the right time.
This after Escamis was hailed Collegiate Basketball Player of the Year last Monday night’s San Miguel Corporation-Collegiate Press Corps Awards Night at the Discovery Suites Manila.
The Randy Alcantara-mentored Cardinals snapped a 33-year title drought thanks to the heroics of Escamis and other key players to beat the College of St. Benilde Blazers in the title series.
But all before the sweet victories with Mapua, the 5-foot-11 floor general also experienced adversities in his career like suffering ACL injuries and being part of a winless campaign with University of the East in the UAAP.
“I’ve been through ACL injuries. I’ve been through zero wins season. It goes to show lang talaga na gusto ko maging parang sa iba, kahit ipinapakita sa iyo na iyong life mo na parang dina-down ka ng injuries, kumpiyansa issues, just trust in your work,” Escamis said after the annual event organized by print and online reporters covering the collegiate beat.
“Sobrang sarap talaga, sobrang I feel humbled by this award. Last year, kahit medyo minor award lang, Mythical 5, siyempre nag-i-strive ako every year to be one of the best to top and then I got this and then nakaka-humble lang talaga na gusto mo mag-pursigi pa to do more to do, whatever it takes to strive for more,” he added.
Escamis is set to return for the Intramuros-based crew in its title-retention bid in the 101st season. The Cards will be without former aces Chris Hubilla and Lawrence Mangubat who parted ways with the team last February.
But Mapua will have transferees Cyril Gonzales, Cyrus Nitura, Ivan Lazarte, Joe Gulapa and Drex Delos Reyes.
“Not gonna lie, madami talagang naging problema iyong team pero it’s part of the process talaga like, acknowledging the problem is the first step. And then improving afterwards. Iyon nga, iyong only problem namin ng team chemistry. Gagawan namin ng paraan iyon and I think the team is going pretty well from now especially marami na kaming nalaro na pre-season. I think we’re gonna be ready,” Escamis said.
Mapua will represent the country in the upcoming FISU World University Games in Germany next month, aiming to bolster team chemistry.
“May tournament kami sa Germany. We’re gonna play iyong University Games. Parang mini-Olympics daw iyon ng mga University. I’m pretty sure magiging magandang exposure iyon para sa team. Lalo na iyong mga core namin. Team chemistry namin, mabubuo especially, isolated kami doon. Kami lang doon, sa Germany,” he said.
