Escamis recovers, drops 29 points as Cardinals repel Chiefs

Mapua’s Clint Escamis (0)

(NCAA Philippines)

Games Sunday

(Filoil EcoOil Arena)

9:30 a.m. – LPU vs UPHSD (jrs/srs)

2:30 p.m. – San Beda vs Letran (srs/jrs)

MANILA, Philippines — Mapua rode on the stellar performance of Clint Escamis as it turned back an upset-conscious Arellano University, 90-87, on Saturday to seize the solo lead in NCAA Season 101 at the Filoil EcoOil Arena.

The Season 99 MVP unloaded a 29-point barrage, including a perfect four-and-four from beyond the arc, and laced it with three rebounds and the same number of assists and steals.

It was a bounce-back effort for Escamis after a forgettable eight-point performance in their 90-89 double overtime victory over Lyceum of the Philippines University in last Wednesday’s inaugurals at the Big Dome.

“I just want to make up for that bad game,” said Escamis, who is on his final tour of duty.

“I know my teammates got my back, but I really want to perform for them,” he added.

It was another come-from-behind win for the back-to-back title-seeking Cardinals, who trailed by as much as 13 points in the second quarter before turning the tables around in their favor in the second half.

“We showed the never-say-die mentality that we’re used to and our heart of a champion that refuses to lose,” said Escamis.

Escamis said they still have more to give.

“We haven’t reached our full potential yet, we still have lapses offensively and defensively and improve on our decision making more,” he said.

The scores:

Mapua 90 – Escamis 29, Cuenco 14, Gonzales 12, Nitura 10, Sapasap 9, Reyes 5, Concepcion 5, Lazarte 4, Recto 2, Gulapa 0, Igliane 0, Delos Reyes 0, Ryan 0.

AU 87 – Valencia 13, Abiera 12, Hernal 11, Ongotan 10, Libang 10, Camay 8, Cabotaje 6, Borromeo 5, Vinoya 4, Geronimo 4, Demetria 4, Acop 0, Buenaventura 0, Miller 0.

Quarterscores: 20-22; 46-51; 67-64; 90-87