By: Amymone Clythie Bautista
“It paid off today.” Mapúa Team Captain Clint Escamis
MANILA, Philippines — Carving their names into history, the Mapúa University Cardinals cemented their legacy with a commanding sweep of the Best-of-Three Finals of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Season 100 Men’s Basketball Tournament after subduing the De La Salle - College of Saint Benilde Blazers, 94-82, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum last Saturday, December 7.
Clint Escamis, the Cardinals’ top gun and a Mythical Five member hailed before the game, received ample support from his teammates, enabling them to clinch the NCAA crown. Held to 18 points after back-to-back 30-point outings, the likes of Cyrus Cuenco, Lawrence Mangubat, and Chris Hubilla helped Escamis shoulder the offensive charge. Cuenco topscored for the Cardinals with 19 points, 4 assists, and 2 rebounds earning him the Player of the Game honors. Mangubat added 17 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists, while Hubilla — Freshman and Rookie of the Year neared a double-double performance with 15 points and 8 rebounds.
Benildean forward Justine Sanchez put up a courageous display for the Blazers after posting a game-high 24 points with 9 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 steals. Tony Ynot finished his debut with the Blazers with 17 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, and a steal. Crowned as the NCAA Season 100 Most Valuable Player (MVP) and Defensive Player of the Year — the first since Season 94, Allen Liwag put up 14 points and 10 rebounds.
A Fast Start
The red and gold faced a 7-point opening surge by the Blazers as Ynot started the ball game with a triple. Hubilla then brings the Cardinals onto the scoreboard. The Benildean team captain Mark Sangco together with Liwag traded baskets with Cuenco, as he scored two points in and a triple. The Taft guard Jhomel Ancheta answered with his own trey. However, Recto brought the Cardinals within a single possession and was followed by Jeco Bancale with a steal and layup. The two teams continued to trade baskets with each side refusing to relent. Benilde led briefly at 21-17 in courtesy of Liwag, Sanchez, and Anton Eusebio. However, the Cardinals closed the quarter strong as they grabbed the lead with Mangubat’s buzzer beater three-pointer, 24-23.
Escamis and Hubilla put their Rookie of the Year credentials on display, jumpstarting the second period as they widened the gap, 28-23. Ynot did not falter, showcasing his finesse on court as he finished his basket with a left-handed reverse layup for the Blazers. But Mapúan Team Captain Escamis made sure to keep the Cardinals’ momentum, sinking two free throws, and completing a three-point play. The red and gold also relied on the hot hands of Cuenco as he gave Mapúa a 10-point lead, 37-27. Although Sanchez and Ynot kept the Blazers within reach, the Cardinals forced the Blazers to commit 16 turnovers at halftime, 45-37.
The Turning Point
Ian Torres opened the third period with a putback for the Blazers. The 6-foot-5 wingman Sanchez knocked down a shot from downtown, which helped the Taft crew recover from their miscues. They closed in on the Cardinals by two, 53-51, as the floor general Sangco finished his basket at the 4:34 mark. Although Escamis missed most of the third quarter, Andrei Igliane, Mangubat and Cuenco went on a long-range shooting spree, giving the Cardinals a 12-point lead. The Mapúa Cardinals headed into the final canto with 66-56.
The Cardinals’ dynamic rookie duo Mangubat and Hubilla kept the hardcourt action sizzling as they brought Mapúa to a 15-point lead with 5:26 remaining. Cuenco and Escamis also joined the rain of triples as they led the Blazers, 82-66. From that moment, the red jerseys ensured there was no path to a comeback for the Taft crew; as they stayed one step ahead of their every move. The Cardinals then sealed the win, bringing the NCAA Crown back to Intramuros, 94-82.
“Malaking bagay sa amin, sila yung sixth man namin at s’yempre tuwang-tuwa yung mga players at nandiyan, sumusuporta ang Mapúan Community.” Cardinal Head Coach Randy Alcantara on the unwavering support of the Mapúa community during their NCAA tenure.
Wrapping up the centennial season of the NCAA, Escamis earned the Finals MVP honors while Head Coach Randy Alcantara – also a member of the 1991 team was declared as the Coach of the Year. Notable figures from the Cardinals’ 1991 championship also witnessed the trophy make its long-awaited return to the Red and Gold. These include Benny Cheng, George Baltazar, Darren Evangelista, Chester Lemen, Neri Ronquillo, Reynold So, and Chito Victolero.
The Intramuros squad also achieved a 40.0% shooting accuracy as they made 10 out of 25 three-point attempts, which helped them win their first title since Season 67 in 1991. Coach Randy Alcantara also emphasized that his troops’ defense played a crucial role in securing the championship that ended the 33-year wait.
For the second time in three seasons, the Benilde Blazers were unable to alter their destiny; settling for runner-ups once again, after falling short to the Colegio de San Juan de Letran Knights in Season 98. With this defeat, their 24-year title drought continues.
The Scores:
Mapúa 94 – Cuenco 19, Escamis 18, Mangubat 17, Hubilla 15, Recto 9, Igliane 8, Bancale 6, Garcia 2, Concepcion 0, Fermin 0
Benilde 82 – Sanchez 24, Ynot 17, Liwag 14, Sangco 7, Oli 7, Torres 5, Ancheta 4, Ondoa 2, Eusebio 2, Cometa 0, Cajucom 0
Quarter Scores: 24-23, 45-37, 66-56, 94-82
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