The Mapua Cardinals celebrate winning the NCAA Season 100 Men’s Basketball Tournament after defeating the Benilde Blazers in two games. -MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
Clint Escamis walked briskly out of Smart Araneta Coliseum and into the dumps after the Mapua Cardinals missed another championship last season.
The King Cardinal stayed on the Big Dome floor longer this time around and finally took the crown in the NCAA Season 100 men’s basketball tournament final on Saturday.
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“It’s a surreal moment, I just wanted it so badly. After 33 years, it’s finally ours,” Escamis said after the Cardinals ended more than three decades of disappointment and futility with a close 94-82 win over the St. Benilde Blazers.
Escamis missed claiming MVP for the second consecutive season, but remained the best choice for Finals MVP after averaging 24 points on 51-percent shooting, four assists and four steals in two games as the Cardinals knocked off the Blazers. Gave.
“Last year he lost the championship [against San Beda] That was our inspiration from then on. Now, we did this, and the job is finished. The redemption tour is complete,” Escamis said after scoring 15 of his 18 points in another energetic first half that set the stage for defeat.
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Mark Cuenco led the way with 19 points himself, highlighted by long threes, and rookie Lawrence Mangubat drilled four triples, including three straight in a stretch in the third, and had 17 points. Chris Habila, this season’s rookie of the year, contributed 15 points and eight rebounds and did a great job with Mark Iglian in preventing season MVP Alan Livag from operating efficiently on the low blocks.
cramps
“Our team is really hungry. After three tries we finally got it. This is a gift from God, I can’t explain the joy,” said Mapua coach Randy Alcantara, who guided the Cardinals to their first title in 33 seasons or so as a player during the school’s championship run in 1991. As Mapua was headed.
The Blazers seemed ready to reverse the trend in the third quarter, cutting the deficit to within 48–46 on Ian Torres’ corner three.
But Iglean unexpectedly fired a three as the shot clock was winding down and Jaco Bankale again drilled another triple of his own on an inbounds pass to the corner, saving them from the Blazers’ comeback attack.
As the Escames suffered from cramps for almost the entire second half, Mangubat kept them in control with consecutive threes, each joining hands with Cuenco and Hubilla in curtailing the St. Benilde rally.
When Escamis was briefly brought back on the field, he buried a three for a 16-point spread with still four minutes remaining, sinking the Blazers as the Mapua community and its fans began to celebrate wildly. Did it.
“Last year I was under the ring and watching them [San Beda Red Lions] Remove the net. This time I have to do it,” Escamis said.
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Justin Sanchez led the Blazers with a career-high 24 points and Mythical Team Award winner Tony Ynot added 17 points, while Liwag finished with 14 points and 10 rebounds, his efforts being as futile as his game last week. 1 was in defeat. inquiry
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