By: Brenn Allen Flores
After suffering close losses to College of Saint Benilde, Lyceum of the Philippines University, and San Beda University, Clint Escamis highlighted Mapua University’s late-game struggles as a crucial area for improvement heading into the second round of NCAA Season 100.
With their record now at six wins and three losses, Mapua shares second place in the standings with San Beda and Benilde, each boasting identical 6-3 records.
Escamis pointed out that the Cardinals’ primary issue lies in their inability to close out games.
“’Yong fourth quarter namin talaga yon yong pinaka problem namin, especially mga key losses namin to CSB, LPU, and ito,” he explained. “Sinabi ko sa locker room pagkatapos, closing out games, yon yong problem namin.”
Two of Mapua’s three losses in the first round were marked by significant fourth-quarter deficits, with Saint Benilde, 23-10, and Lyceum, 31-15.
In their matchup against the defending champions Red Lions, Mapua faltered in the closing moments, allowing the Red Lions to outscore them 10-3 in overtime, ultimately falling 76-69—this marked their third loss of the tournament.
Escamis faced two game-winning opportunities against San Beda but unfortunately missed both.
With 15 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter and only eight seconds left on the shot clock, the reigning Most Valuable Player attempted a long-range three-pointer but air-balled it, allowing San Beda’s Penny Estacio to tie the game with a layup.
After a timeout, Escamis had another chance to win but missed the rim entirely, sending the game into overtime, where Mapua struggled with a shooting efficiency of just 16.7 percent.
Reflecting on the final play of regulation, Escamis noted that the play was designed for him but was disrupted by San Beda’s tenacious defense.
“’Yong play na yon para sakin, pero broken play yon eh. Dapat drive to the basket yon. Pero I live and die by that shot talaga eh and siguro sakain na yon. I take that responsibility with me,” he stated.
Although Escamis led Mapua with 19 points through the first three quarters, he was held scoreless in the fourth quarter and overtime.
This forced him to rely on his younger teammates, particularly Cyrus Cuenco and rookie Chris Hubilla, who contributed nine and four points, respectively, during the critical moments.
“Noong fourth quarter naramdaman ko yong depensa ng San Beda, so medyo nagtiwala ako sa mga other teammates ko, and they delivered naman,” he said. “Especially Cyrus and si Hubilla nag-step up in the fourth quarter,” Escamis added.
Looking ahead, Escamis expressed hope that Mapua’s rookies—Hubilla, Lawrence Mangubat, Brix Reyno, Joshua Pabilona, and others—can leverage the experience gained from facing San Beda in a high-pressure environment as they move into the second round.
“Siyempre para sakin yong mga rookies, wala ngang experience, so lalo na nilang naexperience yong ganitong atmosphere, yong makalaban Beda on a big stage, like MOA Arena,” he remarked.
“Madadala nila yon sa second round siyempre nafe-feel nila yong mga nerves this game eh kasi considering yong last year na building up to this game, yong rematch ulit and last game na sa first round. So may pressure talaga para sakaniila and buti naovercome nila noong mga first quarter, so naka-deliver sila,” Escamis added.
As they look forward, Escamis emphasized that Mapua will return to the drawing board with the goal of gaining the twice-to-beat advantage in the Final Four.
“Siyempre kailangan namin ma-maintain ‘yong first and second (place) para may twice-to-beat advantage. Yon talaga yong malaking bagay para sa amin. Back to the drawing board ulit.”
