Clint Escamis started it for Mapua University and was also the one to finish it, ousting Lyceum of the Philippines University, 89-79, to book the first finals seat in the NCAA Season 100 on Saturday at the Cuneta Astrodome.
The Cardinals wasted a 15-point lead, but found the winning formula in the endgame to punch their return trip to the finale round thanks to the career-high outing from the reigning MVP.
Escamis waxed hot right from the get-go, dropping 18 points in the first quarter alone on the way to a career-best 33 points together with four rebounds, three assists, two steals, and one block.
Mapua now awaits the winner between De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde and San Beda University.
"Maganda 'yung huli namin, 'yung fourth quarter, so siguro suwerte lang kami kasi nag-miss 'yung mga free throws nila. Pero siyempre, LPU ang hirap kalaban," Mapua coach Randy Alcantara said.
"Kami nag-share the ball kami, 'yun 'yung maganda nu'ng huli kasi parang nu'ng hinabol kami, nagkanya-kanya kami e. Buti na lang na-regroup ko ulit and maganda 'yung decision making nila nu'ng fourth quarter."
Escamis was a man on a mission in the first half, helping the Cardinals establish a lead as big as 15 when they built a 45-30 cushion in the second quarter.
But the Pirates leaned on the back of JM Bravo, whose buzzer-beater shot saw them staring at just a 55-46 deficit at the break. The fourth-year forward continued his brilliance to the third period, sinking a pair of freebies that allowed them to take a 59-57 lead.
Bravo buried another triple as they held a precarious 65-63 lead before the fourth.
The Cardinals, though, flipped the switch in the payoff period with Escamis and the rookie tandem of Chris Hubilla and Yam Concepcion powering a 13-2 rampage to open the canto as they regained a comfortable 76-67 lead.
Bravo and John Barba fueled a 6-0 run to answer a huge triple from Escamis as the Pirates trimmed the deficit to just four, 79-75, but the former suffered cramps at the 1:21 mark and never returned to the game since then.
Mapua closed out the game with a steady free throw shooting with Hubilla, Escamis, and Concepcion each splitting their charities for the finishing kick.
Scores:
Mapua 89 – Escamis 33, Hubilla 17, Recto 10, Mangubat 7, Concepcion 7, Cuenco 6, Igliane 4, Bancale 4, Jabonete 1, Ryan 0, Garcia 0.
LPU 79 – Bravo 20, Barba 14, Vilegas 12, Guadaña 12, Daileg 6, Versoza 6, Moralejo 3, Cunanan 2, Montaño 2, Peñafiel 2, Aviles 0.
Quarters: 29-21, 55-46, 63-65, 89-79.
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
