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.