Clint Escamis is back in familiar territory, but he hopes the result will be different this time around.
This after the reigning MVP detonated for a career-high game to lift Mapua University to a hard-fought 89-79 victory over Lyceum of the Philippines University to punch a return ticket to the NCAA Season 100 finals.
Escamis and the rest of the Cardinals, however, are not about to settle with just another finals appearance as they look to end a 33-year title dry spell, which they almost ended last year had they not lost to San Beda University in Season 99 finals.
"For me each year that passes, patagal nang patagal but I think 33 years is enough na for the drought," Escamis, whose career-best 33-point outing willed Mapua, said.
"Ilang beses na kami nag-finals out of the last decade so ito na talaga ‘yung time namin."
Mapua has been on a title drought ever since reigning supreme for back-to-back seasons in 1990 and 1991, or when current Mapua head coach Randy Alcantara was still playing for the school alongside Mapua legend Benny Cheng.
They, however, did manage to return to the finals thrice after that but still fell short.
In 1995, Mapua made a finals return before falling to eventual champion San Sebastian College-Recoletos and had to wait for another 27 years to taste another finals stint.
They had an unlikely stellar run in Season 97, arranging a finals duel with then Rhenz Abando-led Colegio de San Juan de Letran behind the likes of Warren Bonifacio, Arvin Gamboa, and Toby Agustin. But the Knights were too much for them as the Muralla crew completed a title sweep.
They then endured a stinging campaign in the following season before Clint Escamis made an NCAA homecoming and towed them to the Season 99 championship round. Still, the championship remained elusive for the Cardinals.
Now, they are hoping to finally put an end to that as they tussle for glory against De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde — a first in the NCAA.
"I feel like na ‘yung mga blessings namin, ayon ‘yung nagpapa-humble sa amin," Escamis added.
"Alam naman namin sa back of our minds na hindi kami malakas. Siguro ang strength lang ng team namin ay ‘yung chemistry and ‘yung desire to win talaga."
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
