NCAA: Mapua knocks off JRU to complete Final Four cast

Mapua’s Clint Escamis.–NCAA PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—The NCAA Season 99 men’s basketball Final Four cast is complete.

Mapua knocked off the final contender for a playoff spot in Jose Rizal University, 77-74, on Wednesday at San Juan Arena.

Clint Escamis’ all-around game of 25 points, five steals, four rebounds and four assists powered the Cardinals to their sixth straight win, ending the elimination round on top at 15-3.

The Heavy Bombers, who drew 16 points each from Agem Miranda and Joshua Guiab, ended their campaign with a 10-8 record.

Earlier, Emilio Aguinaldo College stunned College of St. Benilde, 77-69, in a no-bearing game for the Generals.

EAC’s Nat Cosejo.–NCAA PHOTO

Despite finishing with a lowly 9-9 record, the Generals went down swinging with a double-double outing from Nat Cosejo who finished with 26 points and 10 rebounds. JP Maguliano also ended his collegiate career with a bang with 12 points and 10 boards.

Miggy Corteza scored 19 for the Blazers (11-7) while Mark Sangco had a near double-double of 12 points and nine rebounds for Benilde, which will head into the Final Four as the fourth seed.

The Blazers meet the top-seeded Cardinals in the Final Four while the other semifinal pairing features No. 2 Lyceum against No. 3 San Beda.

The Red Lions wrap up their elimination round on Friday against rivals Letran Knights.

A loss by San Beda that would force a tie with CSB won’t change anything in the seedings with the Lions still claiming the third spot due to the winner-over-the-other rule. San Beda swept Benilde in the elimination round.