MANILA — Reigning NCAA Most Valuable Player Clint Escamis once again proved his clutch pedigree as he spearheaded Mapua University Cardinals to a stirring come-from-behind 90-87 triumph over the Arellano University Chiefs in the NCAA Season 101 men’s basketball tournament on Saturday at the Playtime FilOil Center in San Juan.
Down by as much as 13 points in the second half, the Cardinals leaned on Escamis’ fiery offense and trademark grit to claw back and remain unbeaten at 2-0.
The veteran guard pumped in 29 points, spiked by four triples, along with three rebounds, three assists, and three steals in another MVP-caliber outing.
“‘Yung ‘Never Say Die’ mentality lang namin. We’re used to being down big. Ipinamalas lang namin ‘yung heart of a champion namin na hindi basta basta bumibigay,” Escamis said, underscoring the mental toughness that carried them through the tight contest.
Mapua built its largest lead at 84-78 late in the fourth quarter before Arellano mounted a final stand to close in, 89-87, in the dying minute.
Marc Cuenco split his free throws for a three-point cushion, 90-87, with 16 seconds left, and then sealed the win by blocking Yuan Camay’s last-second three-point attempt.
Cuenco finished with 14 points, while Cyril Gonzales added 12. Marcus Nitura delivered a key double-double of 10 points and 10 rebounds, capped by his crucial defensive stop on Camay.
For the Chiefs, Sebastian Valencia led with 13 points, followed by Renzo Abiera (12), Joseph Hernal (11), and Tmac Ongotan and Charles Libang (10 apiece), as Arellano opened its season with a tough 0-1 start.
Meanwhile, in Group B action, College of St. Benilde barged into the win column after trouncing Emilio Aguinaldo College, 74-63.
Justine Sanchez fired 16 points, including four triples, while reigning MVP Allen Liwag chipped in 14 as the Blazers improved to 1-1./PN
