Mapua celebrates its first NCAA title in 33 years. Contributed photo
Mapua is NCAA champ
MAPUA slayed the ghosts of its two previous painful NCAA men’s basketball Finals defeats, completing a two-game sweep of College of Saint Benilde with 94-82 victory yesterday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Led by last season’s MVP Clint Escamis and Rookie of the Year Chris Hubilla, the Cardinals annexed a sixth title overall and their first since 1991, ending a long and agonizing 33-year championship drought.
The setbacks suffered from the hands of Letran in May 2022 and San Beda last year strengthened Mapua’s resolve to put an end to its championship heartbreaks.
The Cardinals also took the Finals opener with an 84-73 win, asserting their dominance in the best-of-three series, making sure that there will be no meltdowns just like what happened last season against the Red Lions.
“Finally, binigay na sa amin after 33 years. Nagpapasalamat ako sa sumuporta sa amin. Siyempre, tuwang-tuwa ako at finally nakuha na namin after three tries,” said a jubilant Mapua coach Randy Alcantara.
“Yung gutom. Siyempre 33 years. Yun lang talaga yung motivation namin. Palagi na lang namin sinasabi na maging gutom sa bawat laro. Yung hustle, dedication, at laki ng puso nandun,” he added.
Alcantara savored the moment alongside members of the Cardinals’ 1991 champion team, including Chito Victolero, Winchester Lemen, Benny Cheng, Reynold So, Terry Ronquillo, George Baltazar, and Darren Evangelista.
Finals MVP Escamis took over in the second period, scoring nine of his 18 points. His leadership helped Mapua establish a 10-point edge following a layup by Cyrus Cuenco.
Escamis capped the half with a jumper to extend the Cardinals’ lead to 45-37.
“Super surreal itong moment na to,” said Escamis, who averaged 24 points, 4.0 assists, and 4.0 steals per game during the Finals.
“I just wanted this so bad. Ever since last year, nandun ako sa baba ng rim habang pinuputol yung net. Ngayon, ako na ang pumuputol doon.”
The Blazers tried to mount a comeback in the third quarter, cutting the deficit to two points at 51-53.
But Mapua clamped down defensively, holding Benilde to just five points for the remainder of the frame.
Back-to-back triples from Lawrence Mangubat and Cuenco pushed the Cardinals lead back to double digits heading into the fourth, 66-56.
Cuenco led Mapua with 19 points and four assists, while Hubilla added 15 points and eight rebounds. Mangubat finished with 17 points built around four triples.
Season MVP Allen Liwag led the Blazers with 14 points and 10 rebounds but struggled to overcome the Cardinals’ tough defense.
Justine Sanchez paced Benilde with 24 points, nine rebounds, and four assists, while Tony Ynot added 17 points.
It was the Blazers’ second runner-up finish in the last three seasons
Prior to Game 2, Benilde’s Liwag had a standout Season 100, taking home two major honors: MVP and Defensive Player of the Year in the awards ceremonies.
The 6-foot-6 big man from Cavite became the fourth Blazer to win the league’s highest individual award, joining Sunday Salvacion (2002), Jay Sagad (2005), and Will Gozum (2022).
In addition to Liwag’s MVP award, teammate Tony Ynot was named to the Mythical Team, along with Escamis, Lyceum of the Philippines University’s John Barba, and San Sebastian’s Tristan Felebrico.
Joining Liwag and Felebrico in the All-Defensive Team were Letran’s Kevin Santos, Arellano’s Lorenz Capulong, and Emilio Aguinaldo College’s Wilmar Oftana.
The scores:
Mapua (94) – Cuenco 19, Escamis 18, Mangubat 17, Hubilla 15, Recto 9, Igliane 8, Bancale 6, Garcia 2, Concepcion 0, Fermin 0.
Benilde (82) – Sanchez 24, Ynot 17, Liwag 14, Sangco 7, Oli 7, Torres 5, Ancheta 4, Eusebio 2, Ondoa 2, Cajucom 0, Cometa 0.
Quarterscores: 24-23, 45-37, 66-56, 94-82.
