By: Bjorn Del Deade
After enduring heartbreak in NCAA Season 99, Mapua University achieved triumphant redemption in the centennial season of the Grand Old League.
The Cardinals – led by former Most Valuable Player Clint Escamis and Rookie of the Year Chris Hubilla – captured the milestone NCAA championship, completing a Finals sweep with a dominant 94-82 Game 2 victory on Saturday at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
The victory marked the Cardinals’ sixth NCAA seniors basketball title and their first since 1991, ending a 33-year championship drought.
Mapua also took Game 1 with an 84-73 win, asserting its dominance in the best-of-three series.
“Finally, binigay na sa amin after 33 years. Nagpapasalamat ako sa sumuporta sa amin. Siyempre, tuwang-tuwa ako at finally nakuha na namin after three tries,” said Mapua head coach Randy Alcantara.
He lost the Season 97 Finals against Letran and the Season 99 Finals against San Beda.
“Yung gutom. Siyempre 33 years. Yun lang talaga yung motivation namin. Palagi na lang namin sinasabi na maging gutom sa bawat laro. Yung hustle, dedication, at laki ng puso nandun,” added Alcantara, who savored the moment alongside members of the 1991 champion team, including Chito Victolero, Chester Lemen, Benny Cheng, Reynold So, Terry Ronquillo, George Baltazar, and Darren Evangelista.
The Cardinals overcame an early surge from the Blazers, who blitzed Mapua with a 7-0 run to fuel a 14-7 start in the opening frame.
Mapua tied the game at 21-all courtesy of JC Recto’s free throws, before Lawrence Mangubat sank a buzzer-beating three-pointer to give the Cardinals a slim 24-23 lead at the end of the first quarter.
From there, Finals MVP Clint Escamis took over, scoring nine of his 18 points in the second quarter.
His leadership helped Mapua establish a 10-point edge following a layup by Marc Cuenco. Escamis capped the half with a glassy jumper to extend their lead to 45-37.
“Super surreal ‘tong moment na ‘to,” said Escamis, who averaged 24 points, 4.0 assists, and 4.0 steals per game during the Finals.
“I just wanted this so bad. Ever since last year, nandun ako sa baba ng rim habang pinuputol yung net. Ngayon, ako na ang pumuputol dun.”
Benilde attempted to mount a comeback in the third quarter, cutting the deficit to two points at 53-51 after a 5-0 run midway through the period.
But Mapua clamped down defensively, holding the Blazers to just five points for the remainder of the frame.
Back-to-back triples from Mangubat and Cuenco pushed Mapua’s lead back to 10 heading into the fourth, 66-56.
Mangubat’s hot hand proved critical, as he finished with 17 points on four triples. Cuenco contributed 19 points and four assists, while Hubilla added 15 points and eight rebounds.
The Cardinals’ momentum carried over into the final period, where they built a 14-point lead.
Despite a brief rally from Benilde to trim the deficit to 10 with less than a minute remaining, Mapua held firm.
Mangubat and Recto delivered the finishing blows, sending the Cardinals faithful into a frenzy as white confetti rained down, marking a long-awaited return to glory.
The Blazers, meanwhile, fell short in their bid to end a two-decade title drought.
Season MVP Allen Liwag led the team with 14 points and 10 rebounds but struggled to overcome Mapua’s suffocating defense.
Justine Sanchez paced Benilde with 24 points, nine rebounds, and four assists, while Tony Ynot added 17 points.
However, their combined efforts were not enough to keep the Blazers afloat against the relentless Cardinals.
As the Cardinals celebrated their long-awaited triumph, Alcantara, who was wearing his jersey No. 13, summed it up best: “Ganito rin saya namin noong 1991.”
The Scores:
Mapua 94 – Cuenco 19, Escamis 18, Mangubat 17, Hubilla 15, Recto 9, Igliane 8, Bancale 6, Garcia 2, Concepcion 0, Fermin 0
Saint Benilde 82 – Sanchez 24, Ynot 17, Liwag 14, Sangco 7, Oli 7, Torres 5, Ancheta 4, Ondoa 2, Eusebio 2, Cometa 0, Cajucom 0
Quarterscores: 24-23, 45-37, 66-56, 94-82
