By: Brenn Flores
For Mapúa University, it’s time to “move on but don’t forget” their Finals loss to San Beda.
The heartbreak of falling just short of capturing their first NCAA seniors basketball championship in 32 years serves as fuel for another title charge as the Cardinals prepare for the NCAA’s centennial season, beginning on September 7, Saturday, at the Mall of Asia Arena.
The sting of last year’s finals has been turned into motivation for reigning Season 99 MVP Clint Escamis and the Cardinals.
“One game away nalang kami eh. masakit talaga saamin ‘yon. We really transformed that anger and frustration into hard work and motivation so I think that really carried off since January.. Kinausap din kami ni coach saying na, ‘Ito na ulit, ito na yung bagong journey, kalimutan niyo na yun. Use that loss pero don’t ever forget that heartbreaking loss. Move on but don’t forget,’” said the 5-foot-11 floor general.
“Until now dala-dala ko pa rin yung heartbreak na yun, pero as a motivation and inspiration na para sakin ‘yun.”
With key players like Warren Bonifacio and Paolo Hernandez departing, Escamis and the returning Joaquin Garcia have been appointed co-captains by head coach Randy Alcantara.
Garcia, who was a standout for the Cardinals in Season 98 and son of assistant coach Yong Garcia, was out for Season 99 due to an ankle injury.
Escamis noted that Garcia’s return has been instrumental in helping him guide the new players, especially Chris Hubilla and Aaron Fermin.
“Siyempre, malaking kawalan yung mga nabanggit na pangalan, especially yung mga veterans, experienced sila siyempre,” admitted the incoming senior. “Yun yung gagawin naming advantage, na young team and full of energy. Kaialngan talaga mag-adjust eh, wala eh. Hindi namain aasa sa wala na so kailangan talaga namin mag-adjust.
“And yun, yun yung winork on namin sa offseason, yung team chemistry namin, off-cort bonding kasi yun yung number one na nawala kasi andaming bago eh. Eh kami matagal na kaming magkakaasama nila Warren Bonifacio, Paolo Hernandez, to name a few. Sa tingin ko naman naging help naman yun samin, especially two three months ago.”
Escamis, who became the fifth player to win MVP in their rookie season in league history a season ago, aims to lead by example and hopes that his teammates—both old and new—can adopt the same work ethic that took Mapúa to the finals last year.
“Syempre number one maging good example, to be disciplined. Kailangan maging disciplined ako and a good example to them, and I think I’m doing a good job and siyempre, yung work ethic pakita ko sakanila na you cannot outwork me and kailangan niyo ako sabayan kasi syempre I’m the MVP nga eh. Di naman sa to brag but, that’s how it really is, so yun talaga and to be a court general, not just score points a lot, get my teammates involved, and talk to them, motivate them,” said the skipper, who transferred back to Mapua from UE.
“Pag na-down sila kakausapin ko sila like personally and kahit hindi tungkol sa basketball, like about life… Basically, be a kuya for them.”
