Mapua Cardinals star Clint Ecsamis in action during an NCAA Season 100 men’s basketball game. –NCAA PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—Mapua’s Clint Escamis expressed himself through his shoes in the Cardinals’ season-opener in the NCAA Season 100 men’s basketball tournament.
Mapua may have dropped its first tournament game against College of St. Benilde, 78-65, but the past season’s Rookie-MVP didn’t go down without a fight.
Matching up his stellar performance on the court was his game-worn kicks; a customized pair of the Nike Book 1s.
READ: NCAA: New to leadership role, Clint Escamis keen to take Mapua to top
“I [just] wanted to pay homage,” said Escamis when asked about his colorful pair of shoes.
“I think it was my idea or my friends to have a customized shoe. When we had the idea, I thought of wearing it in the first game.”
The former University of the East standout rocked a pair of Book 1s with a dominant Violet upper with Orange laces and swoosh signs.
What stood out the most about his unique pair was the lettering on the toe box.
“ROY” was written on the right shoe, obviously for “Rookie of the Year,” while “MVP” was inscribed on the left shoe for “Most Valuable Player”–an homage to his stellar run in Season 99 when he won both awards at the end of the elimination round.
READ: NCAA: Allen Liwag leads way for new-look Benilde
The Cardinals lost the bout against the Blazers but Escamis went down swinging with 16 points, four steals, three rebounds and two assists, showing his prime form anew.
Escamis said he could’ve customized other pairs of shoes, but chose to test out something new with a pair of kicks he hadn’t played with before.
“I thought of having Kobe’s customized but I haven’t had the Book 1 before so I really wanted to try that. Lots of people are having Kobe’s so why not customize the Book 1? It turned out great.”