Limited in their opening-day outing, Clint Escamis made sure to bounce back in spectacular fashion.
The NCAA Season 99 Most Valuable Player poured in 29 points, leading Mapua University to a 90-87 victory over Arellano University and securing the early lead in Group A of the NCAA Season 101 Seniors Basketball Tournament on Saturday at the Filoil Centre.
Escamis, who was held to just eight points on 4-of-15 shooting in the Cardinals’ 90-89 double-overtime win over the Lyceum Pirates, went 10-of-16 from the field with four triples against the Chiefs.
He also contributed three rebounds, three assists, and three steals.
“Gusto ko talagang makabawi sa game na yun. Alam ko na my teammates got my back pero kailangan ko mag-perform ngayon,” said the 24-year-old guard, a product of the Malayan basketball program.
But Escamis needed all the help he could get to fend off a gutsy Arellano squad, which had a standout preseason campaign in the Filoil Preseason Cup.
The Chiefs, who led by as much as 13 points in the second quarter, found themselves down by two in the final seconds.
Cyrus Cuenco knocked down a clutch triple with 1:04 remaining to answer an Ernest Geronimo basket.
Cuenco later found a wide-open Yam Concepcion to respond to a Yuan Camay shot, while a free throw by Cuenco gave Mapua a three-point edge after a Joseph Hernal bucket.
To seal the victory, Cyrus Nitura swatted away Camay’s triple attempt in the closing moments.
“Never-say-die mentality lang. We are used to being down big, especially last game. Pinapakita lang namin yung heart of a champion na hindi nagpapatalo,” said Escamis.
Cuenco added 14 points, Cyril Gonzales contributed 12 points along with three assists, three rebounds, and two steals, while Nitura finished with a 10-point, 10-rebound double-double.
Mapua will look to make it three straight when it faces Perpetual on Wednesday.
For the Chiefs, who lost T-Mc Ongotan for much of the second half due to two technical fouls, Basti Valencia led with 13 points.
Renzo Abiera added 12 points, while Hernal tallied a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds.
Arellano will aim for its first win when it takes on San Sebastian on Tuesday.
The Scores:
Mapua 90 – Escamis 29, Cuenco 14, Gonzales 12, Nitura 10, Sapasap 9, Reyes 5, Concepcion 5, Lazarte 4, Recto 2, Gulapa 0, Igliane 0, Delos Reyes 0, Ryan 0
Arellano 87 – Valencia 13, Abiera 12, Hernal 11, Ongotan 10, Libang 10, Camay 8, Cabotaje 6, Borromeo 5, Vinoya 4, Geronimo 4, Demetria 4, Acop 0, Buenaventura 0, Miller 0
Quarterscores: 20-22, 46-51, 67-64, 90-87
