REIGNING MVP Clint Escamis sank a Hail Mary three-pointer to beat the buzzer, completing Mapua’s comeback from 20 points down to secure a 75-73 victory over College of Saint Benilde and tie its victims in first place in the NCAA men’s basketball tournament at the Filoil EcoOil Centre yesterday.

After the heave swished through the net, and the Cardinals crowd erupted in wild cheers as the last season’s runner-up tied the Blazers at 13-3.

“Speechless right now. Parang ako yung batang nagji-gym lang dati tapos to make that shot and tapos ganun pa kalayo, may ano talaga ng Diyos yun e. Sobrang speechless ako,” said Escamis, who finished with 26 points, five assists, and four rebounds.

“Tumingin ako sa gameclock tapos four seconds na lang. Malayo pa yung gap to do a layup tapos may defender pa. Naisipan ko na lang na to make that shot. Minsan pina-practice ko naman yun for fun shots and then it happened,”

“I’ve made clutch shots in past seasons but never a game-winner from Steph Curry range. This is the biggest shot of my career so far, but we’re still gunning for a championship,” he added.

Later, Jimboy Estrada took charge in the clutch, scoring back-to-back jumpers in the final seconds to lead Letran to a 75-71 victory over defending champion San Beda to keep its NCAA Final Four hopes alive in their rivalry game.

By avenging its season-opening loss to Benilde, Escamis now believe that Mapua can finally overcome the hump.

“Doing this to the number one team speaks volumes about what we can accomplish,” Escamis said.

The Knights victory over the Red Lions assured the Blazers and the Cardinals of finishing in top two at the end of the eliminations with the twice-to-beat Final Four incentive.

Letran moved up to 8-9, just half-a-game behind Lyceum of the Philippines University and Emilio Aguinaldo College, both holding 8-8 records, in the race for the No. 4 spot. The Pirates and the Generals clash tomorrow with the winner gaining the advantage in the chase for the last Final Four slot.

“Sabi ko sa mga bata this is a do-or-die Sunday. Bigay na natin lahat, huwag na tayo magtipid, especially on the defensive end. Nagwork naman yung game plan namin so that’s why we stayed in the game,” coach Allen Ricardo said.

“Ang hirap kasi pag tatapat-tapatan mo lang yung San Beda all throughout, ang galing nila magexecute with the way coach Yuri (Escueta) guides his players and his coaching staff,” he added.

The Red Lions fell to 10-6.

The scores:

First game

Mapua (75) – Escamis 26, Mangubat 12, Concepcion 11, Cuenco 8, Hubilla 5, Recto 5, Igliane 4, Bancale 4, Fermin 0, Abdulla 0.
Benilde (73) – Liwag 15, Torres 10, Cometa 10, Oli 10, Ynot 9, Sanchez 7, Ancheta 5, Eusebio 3, Cajucom 3, Sangco 1, Ondoa 0, Morales 0, Turco 0.
Quarterscores: 16-28, 39-54, 60-673, 75-73

Second game

Letran (75) – Estrada 24, Monje 15, Cuajao 11, Montecillo 10, Javillonar 8, Jumao-As 3, Nunag 2, Santos 2, Miller 0, Dimaano 0.
San Beda (71) – Payosing 16, Puno 15, Lina 10, Andrada 8, Tagle 8, Gonzales 5, Calimag 4, Estacio 3, Songcuya 2, Royo 0, Celzo 0, Sajonia 0.
Quarterscores: 22-23, 40-38, 57-57, 75-71

AUTHOR PROFILE

Theodore P. Jurado