Clint Escamis is a gift that keeps on giving.
Even though it was his birthday yesterday, the six-foot guard was the one who gave a present to his team and the whole Mapua University community as he drained a go-ahead triple and two important free-throws to help tow the Cardinals to a win versus Lyceum of the Philippines University, 87-83.
Even before his clutch plays, the former Red Robin had his imprints stamped throughout the whole game, as he also produced nine rebounds, seven assists, and four steals.
After the heated bout, the 23-year-old guard lauded the unwavering trust his coaching staff bestowed upon him to enable him to spearhead the Cardinals.
“Sobrang saya and thankful talaga sa opportunity na binigay ni Coach Randy sa akin. They were calling out the last play para sa akin, so, thankful ako na na-convert ko at thankful din ako kay God na pumasok 'yung shot na 'yun kasi may halong swerte eh. It was a bank shot, pero praktisado naman 'yun," Escamis said.
(Very happy and thankful for the opportunity Coach Randy gave me. They were calling out the last play for me so I'm thankful that it converted and thank God it sank because there's some luck in it. It was a bank shot, but it was always practiced.)
Mapua’s win over the Pirates was extra sweet as not only did they win the battle with their Intramuros neighbor, but they also grabbed the first seed from Lyceum, improving to 6-1.
Despite being overjoyed with a lot of successes, Escamis knows that the season is far from over.
“Continue working hard talaga. Sabi nga ng coach Chito [Victolero] na pumunta sa dugout namin, celebrate lang kami hanggang 12 midnight, then recover, rest, practice ulit, then move on to the next,” said Escamis.
(Just continue working hard. When Coach Chito went into our dugout, he told us to just celebrate until midnight, then recover, rest, go to practice, and move on to the next.)
Victorlero, a champion PBA coach, is a Mapua alumnus.
To do so, Mapua’s star guard asserts that they should continue what they have been doing and then some.
“More of mentality na walang kampante. Weights, strength and conditioning, tapos extra work pa din. Thankful din kami sa tiwala ng mga coaches namin na grabe 'yung binibigay na minuto sa amin ng mga beterano. Syempre, susuklian namin with hard work.”
(The mentality is more about not being complacent. Continue weights, strength and conditioning, then extra work. We are thankful that our coaches trust us because they give veterans playing time. Of course, we will repay that with hard work.)
Escamis and the rest of Mapua will test their wares against Arellano University next on Wednesday, October 18.
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
