Clint Escamis rose to the occasion yet again, helping Mapua University escape a major scare from Arellano University, 77-71, in NCAA Season 100 on Wednesday.
The reigning MVP dropped 12 points in the crucial fourth quarter as the Cardinals fended off the gritty Chiefs to improve their hold of the second spot at 6-2.
Arellano, which failed to duplicate its upset win over defending champion San Beda University, dropped to 2-6.
"In the first half talaga sobrang sama ng laro ko, off talaga sa shooting, and thankful ako kay coach Randy kasi binibigyan pa rin niya ako ng kumpiyansa, especially nu'ng third at fourth quarter," Escamis said.
"Thankful ako dahil na-deliver ko 'yung mga last shots."
Escamis, who went cold in the first half after an unusual 0-of-5 shooting clip, regained his touch and buried back-to-back triples to send Mapua to a 71-59 lead amidst a strong fourth quarter rampage from Arellano, which even took a 54-51 cushion late in the third.
But the Chiefs, who were coming off a morale-boosting 72-70 triumph against the Red Lions last Saturday, mounted a massive fightback with Lorenz Capulong fueling a 12-1 blast that cut their deficit to just one, 72-71, with 38.5 seconds left in the game.
The 6-foot-6 bruiser scored six points in that stretch to help Arellano stay in the game as the Cardinals were hounded by fouls in the second half that led to the ejection of Marc Igliane in the dying seconds.
Escamis, though, broke away for a layup before T-mc Ongotan was whistled for a flagrant foul on Chris Hubilla in the last 16 seconds. Hubilla split the freebies while Escamis sank two free throws of his own to ice the game.
Hubilla chipped in 15 points as well, laced with eight rebounds, one assist, and one steal while Cyrus Cuenco added 10 markers, three boards, three dimes, and two swats to help the cause as Mapua scored their third straight victory.
Capulong paced Arellano with 19 points and six rebounds while Renzo Abiera dropped 18 markers all in the first half.
Scores:
Mapua 77 – Escamis 15, Hubilla 15, Cuenco 10, Mangubat 9, Concepcion 7, Igliane 6, Fermin 5, Jabonete 4, Bancale 2, Ryan 2, Agemenyi 2.
Arellano 71 – Capulong 19, Abiera 18, Camay 11, Ongotan 6, Vinoya 6, Hernal 4, Miller 3, Libang 3, Valencia 1, Geronimo 0, Borromeo 0, Estacio 0, Acop 0, Dela Cruz 0.
Quarters: 19-19, 41-37, 51-54, 77-71.
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
