Mapua Cardinals in the NCAA Season 100 men’s basketball tournament. –NCAA PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—Mapua star Clint Escamis does most of the heavy lifting for the Cardinals in the NCAA Season 100 men’s basketball tournament but he always makes sure to acknowledge the unsung heroes.
Especially on Tuesday.
In Mapua’s most recent win over Emilio Aguinaldo College, 82-79, at San Juan Arena, it wasn’t Escamis who bailed the Cardinals out for the narrow victory.
Yes, he did the work with 23 points, six rebounds, two assists, a steal and a block but it was Marc Cuenco who delivered the final blow to the pesky Generals.
SCHEDULE: NCAA Season 100 men’s basketball schedule
“All of them can be an option in the endgame, especially Cuenco. I talked to him already way before and I told him he has a different role this season. He’s the ‘endgame man.’ It can be him, me or others,” said Escamis.
Mapua Cardinals’ Marc Cyrus Cuenco. –NCAA PHOTO
“I’m happy for him that he hit those last shots. I’m really proud of him as a brother.”
Cuenco finished with 16 points, including the go-ahead triple with 15.2 left in the fourth quarter to give Mapua the win that sent them to solo-second with an 8-3 card.
READ: NCAA: Clutch triples help Mapua, Lyceum escape
He also snagged six rebounds, three assists and two steals to keep the Generals at bay.
“All coach (Randy Alcantara) told me was to take charge so I took the ball, took charge and when I saw my defender fall back, I shot it,” said Cuenco.
“I trust my teammates. If we collapsed, I’d still trust them,” he added.
Up next for the Cardinals in the second round is a Season 97 Finals rematch with Letran on Friday.