In Week 3 of NCAA Season 99, Mapua University surged to the top of the standings after defeating two powerhouse squads. A homegrown rookie stood out significantly in both wins.
Starting strongly in his debut season, star rookie Clint Escamis elevated his game when the Cardinals needed him the most, averaging 20 points, eight rebounds, six assists, and six steals in the past week. This performance improved Mapua’s record to a league-best 6-1.
For his impressive all-around performances, Escamis received the season’s third Collegiate Press Corps NCAA Player of the Week award, becoming the second Cardinal to do so after Paolo Hernandez in Week 2.
Escamis outperformed EAC’s King Gurtiza, Perpetual’s Jun Roque, Jacob Cortez of San Beda, and Migs Oczon of St. Benilde to earn the weekly honors, which were presented by San Miguel Corporation and supported by minor sponsors Discovery Suites and Jockey.
The 23-year-old guard scored 20 points, grabbed seven rebounds, provided five assists, and recorded eight steals to lead Mapua to a 77-71 victory against defending champion Colegio de San Juan de Letran.
He concluded the week with another outstanding performance in their 87-83 win over the former league leader, Lyceum of the Philippines University.
Against the Pirates, the former Mapua high school standout scored 20 points, including a crucial top-of-the-key three-pointer, in addition to nine boards, seven assists, and four blocks as they claimed the top spot.
For Escamis, it’s all about repaying the trust that Coach Randy Alcantara and Coach Yong Garcia have placed in him.
“Sobrang saya and thankful talaga ako sa opportunity na binigay ni Coach Randy (Alcantara) and ni Coach Yong (Garcia) sa akin and thank God na pumasok ‘yung shot na ‘yun,” Escamis said.
But the 5-foot-11 playmaker knows that the job is far from finished, as the Cardinals set their sights on their next games with an eye on a Final Four return.
“There was a lot of excitement towards this game kasi ‘Battle of Intramuros’ and battle for number one seed so ‘yun talaga, keep on working talaga. But ayun, on to the next,” he said with a smile.
