Mapua University skipper Clint Escamis took the blame after the Cardinals lost steam down the stretch to drop a tough 76-69 overtime loss to San Beda University in their heated finals rematch on Tuesday in NCAA Season 100.
The reigning MVP was efficient in the first half, shooting 5-of-9 from the field to tally 14 points at the break with his team enjoying a 38-30 lead over the defending champions.
However, Escamis fired blanks in the crucial second half, which included an unusual scoreless outing in the fourth quarter with 0-of-5 shooting clip, as the Red Lions dragged them to extra period with the latter banking on Yukien Andrada in overtime to take the victory.
"Medyo naging aggressive ako sa shots ko lalo nu’ng fourth, may time na nag-force ako ng shots ako and sa akin ‘yun," Escamis said as he finished with 19 points, five rebounds, two steals, and one assist.
"Aaminin ko na mali ako doon and siyempre, we can only learn from these mistakes and bounce back next game."
The game almost went Mapua's way after leading by as much as 13, but the Red Lions flaunted their championship poise with Andrada opening the fourth with a huge triple to take a 56-53 lead.
With Escamis struggling to convert on the offensive side, his teammates stepped up, especially Lawrence Mangubat, Chris Hubilla, and Cyrus Cuenco, whose late three-pointer sent them to a 64-61 cushion.
James Payosing, though, retaliated with a long bucket of his own for a 64-all deadlock. Hubilla answered right back with a putback off an Escamis miss as Mapua secured a crucial 66-64 lead.
Mapua's defense was caught napping on the final play in the regulation with Penny Estacio sinking an open layup to force the overtime. Andrada took charge in OT, scoring five of their 10 points to continue their mastery of the Cardinals.
Despite the win, Escamis lauded his teammates for putting up a good fight against the mighty Red Lions.
"Nu’ng fourth quarter nararamdaman ko na ‘yung depensa ng San Beda and nagtiwala na lang ako sa mga teammates ko and they delivered naman, kinapos lang talaga kami sa fourth quarter and overtime," he added.
For Escamis, they can only learn from this moving forward, vowing to remain hungry when they step onto the second round that kicks off this Friday.
"Siyempre kailangan namin ma-maintain ‘yung first and second para may twice-to-beat advantage, malaking bagay ‘yun para sa amin. Back to the drawing board lang."
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
