Clint Escamis flexed his MVP form to guide Mapua University to a nail-biting 71-65 escape against University of Perpetual Help System DALTA in NCAA Season 100 on Sunday.
The reigning MVP scattered 28 points, a career-high in scoring, highlighted by two huge triples in the dying moments, alongside two rebounds, two assists, three steals, and one block as the Cardinals turned back the ALTAs for a 2-1 card.
Perpetual, on the other hand, absorbed its first loss to go 2-1.
"Sobrang laking bagay na nag-back-to-back kami, siyempre sa morale namin, especially sa confidence ng mga rookies namin," Escamis said.
"Happy ako na nag-step up 'yung mga rookies and 'yung mga sophomores namin like Igliane."
Escamis, who were only averaging 13.0 points in the past two games, buried a three-pointer and a crucial layup to give Mapua a precarious 61-60 lead with 3:21 left in the fourth quarter.
Veteran John Abis then converted a baseline jumper that regained Perpetual a one-point lead, but Mapua retaliated with back-to-back buckets from downtown from Cyrus Cuenco and Escamis for a 67-62 cushion in the final 1:23.
However, rookie Mark Gojo Cruz bravely took a corner three-pointer over the defense of Escamis, slicing just seven seconds off the clock as the ALTAs remained in the thick of the game.
Mapua big man Marc Igliane, though, secured two pivotal offensive rebounds that allowed Cuenco to dish out an assist to an open Jeco Bancale, who would knock down the dagger three to tow Mapua to yet another narrow win.
Cuenco tallied 12 points, six assists, and one rebound while John Jabonete and Hubilla each finished with eight and seven points, helping the Cardinals gut out their first streak this season.
Over at Perpetual, Gojo Cruz shone again with 17 points, seven rebounds, and one assist while Christian Pagaran and John Abis poured 12 markers apiece in the losing cause.
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
