MANILA, Philippines – When the game is on the line, count on Clint Escamis to save the day for the Mapua Cardinals.
Escamis reminded everyone why he’s the reigning NCAA MVP as he sank a tough game-winning trey from way downtown to lift Mapua past the College of St. Benilde Blazers, 75-73, in a showdown between two Final Four-bound squads in the Season 100 men’s basketball tournament at the FilOil EcoOil Centre on Sunday, November 10.
With Mapua staring at a 72-73 disadvantage, Escamis stole the ball from CSB star Allen Liwag after a careless pass by Blazers forward Justine Sanchez with still 6 seconds left on the clock.
Escamis then took matters into his own hands, stopping and popping a few steps after crossing the halfcourt line for the cold-blooded triple to beat the buzzer.
Thanks to Escamis’ heroics, the Cardinals completed a massive comeback from as many as 20 points down in the second quarter to push their winning streak to seven games and tie the Blazers at the top spot with identical 13-3 records.
Mapua, as well as CSB, are now also assured of twice-to-beat bonuses in the Final Four following the San Beda Red Lions’ loss to the Letran Knights in the second game.
The 5-foot-11 do-it-all guard Escamis exploded for a game-high 26 points, together with 4 rebounds, 5 assists, and 1 steal, and a +/- of +12.
On the other side, Liwag carried the fight for the Blazers with a double-double outing of 15 points and 13 rebounds as they saw their own seven-game winning run come to a heartbreaking end.
Like Escamis, Jimboy Estrada came through the clutch and delivered crucial back-to-back baskets for the Knights as they escaped their longtime rival Red Lions, 75-71, to keep their flickering Final Four hopes alive in Season 100.
With Letran down by a single point, 70-71, after San Beda’s James Payosing completed an and-one play with 45.4 seconds left, Estrada took it upon himself and knocked down a mid-range jumper to give the Knights the upper hand, 72-71, with 40.6 seconds to go.
Following a costly turnover by the Red Lions in the next play, Estrada once again took over and buried another mid-range jumper from almost the same spot, putting the Knights ahead, 74-71, with just 19.5 seconds remaining.
San Beda had an opportunity to tie things up at 74-all, but Payosing’s three-point attempt from the corner fell short as Letran’s Nat Montecillo sealed the deal with a free throw.
Estrada stuffed the stat sheet as he came up with game-highs of 24 points and 9 assists, along with 5 rebounds, 1 steal, and 1 block for Letran, which remained in the tight race for the last Final Four spot with an 8-9 record.
The Knights currently sit at the sixth spot behind the EAC Generals and the LPU Pirates, who both carry 8-8 records.
Payosing, likewise, had an all-around outing of 16 points, 9 rebounds, 6 assists, and 4 steals to lead the charge for the defending champion Red Lions, who remained at the No. 3 spot behind the Blazers and the Cardinals with a 10-6 slate.
The Scores
First Game
Mapua 75 – Escamis 26, Mangubat 12, Concepcion 11, Cuenco 8, Hubilla 5, Recto 5, Igliane 4, Bancale 4, Fermin 0, Abdulla 0.
CSB 73 – Liwag 15, Torres 10, Cometa 10, Oli 10, Ynot 9, Sanchez 7, Ancheta 5, Eusebio 3, Cajucom 3, Sangco 1, Ondoa 0, Morales 0, Turco 0.
Quarters: 16-28, 39-54, 60-63, 75-73.
Second Game
Letran 75 – Estrada 24, Monje 15, Cujaoa 11, Montecillo 10, Javillonar 8, Jumao-As 3, Nunag 2, Santos 2, Miller 0, Dimaano 0.
San Beda 71 – Payosing 16, Puno 15, Lina 10, Andrada 8, Tagle 8, Gonzales 5, Calimag 4, Estacio 3, Songcuya 2, Royo 0, Celzo 0, Sajonia 0.
Quarters: 22-23, 40-38, 57-57, 75-71.
– Rappler.com