Scarred after a painful Finals loss last season, Escamis does everything right to push Cards to cusp of NCAA title

Clint Escamis, middle, and the Mapua Cardinals in Game 1 of the NCAA Season 100 men’s basketball Finals.–NCAA PHOTO

Clint Escamis was overly disenchanted during last season’s championship collapse that left the rookie-MVP scarred.

Those wounds will heal quickly with another Mapua victory over College of St. Benilde in their titular showdown for the historic NCAA Season 100 men’s basketball trophy after a Game 1 victory that had its imprint all over it.

“I always remind my teammates what we’ve gone through after the Finals last year,” Escamis said after pouring in 30 points to lead the Cardinals past the Blazers, 84-73, on Sunday. “Now, we are here and this is our chance to bounce back.”

Escamis dropped 22 of his total to the Blazers’ collective chins in the first half as the Cardinals moved on the verge of a much-cherished after two disappointing appearances on the big dance the previous three seasons.

“It feels good to get the first game, but our job is not yet finished,” Escamis went on. “I learned a lot (from our failed bid) last year that you don’t win (the title after winning) Game 1.’’

The Cardinals are caught in the same scenario as last season when they seized the best-of-three championship series opener only to squander their title bid against the San Beda Red Lions.

Supporting cast

JC Recto came off the bench and helped keep the Blazers under control, finishing with 15 points, while Chris Hubilla hounded the 6-foot-6 Allen Liwag all game long and had nine points and nine rebounds despite the height disparity.

The Cardinals, whose last brush with glory was way back in 1991, likewise made it to the Finals in Season 97 and fell to the Letran Knights.

“I’ve matured compared to last season. I came to realize you cannot win a championship with just one player, it’s really a team effort,’’ said Escamis.

Forcing the Blazers to fall into a heap of turnovers, the Cardinals hardly wavered after seizing control early, ending up with 19 steals built on pure grit and hustle—with five of them courtesy of Escamis.

There were signs of collapse in the third quarter when the Blazers pulled within 44-43 after a Liwag basket, but the Cardinals, with experience in the dazzling atmosphere and pressure of the Finals, held sway.

Second-stringers Jeco Bancale and John Jabonete rose to the occasion, dousing the Blazers’ efforts at mounting a comeback.

Recto drilled a three and Jabonete’s own triple coupled with a drive pushed them 13 points up in heading into the final three minutes.

Liwag had 18 points and 14 rebounds in a losing effort, with veteran guard Gab Cometa adding 13 for the Blazers, who are looking to reset the series in Game 2 on Saturday.

“One more game, one more game,’’ Escamis told his teammates while the Mapua hymn was being played before a sea of yellow and red that celebrated at Smart Araneta Coliseum. INQ