Games on Saturday
(Smart Araneta Coliseum)
1pm – Prize Giving Ceremony
2:30 pm – CSB vs Mapua
CLINT ESCAMIS delivered an MVP effort as the University of Mapua defeated the College of St. Benilde, 84-73, on Sunday to advance in the quest for its first NCAA basketball championship in more than three decades in Season 100 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Leading his career with 33 points in an 89-79 win over the Lyceum of the Philippines University Pirates on November 23 at the Cuneta Astrodome, Mr. They took a 1-0 lead and came close to winning their first title since they last played 33 years ago.
But unlike last season, there was no joy in Mapua’s Game One victory knowing the work was not done.
Instead, the Cardinals’ celebration has been muted as, at least most of them, head to the locker room for a big, tough battle ahead of Saturday’s Game 2 at the same venue.
And of course, the memory of last year’s sad experience still lingers in Mr. Escamis and his course after winning again 1-0 in the final where they celebrated a lot before losing the next two and finally the championship they longed for. San Beda University.
“You don’t win a championship in Game One, so the job isn’t done,” said Mr. Escamis who was depressed.
The CSB has completely and utterly failed to stop, even slow down, the red-hot Mr. Escamis.
Worse, the Blazers couldn’t find the offensive flow that helped them book a return trip to the finals.
They got Allen Liwag to do a lot of work with 18 points, 14 rebounds, three blocks and two steals, but without him, it really wasn’t there.
CSB, looking for their second title since winning 24 years ago, will have a chance to make up for all their mistakes and come out on top by winning Game 2 and forcing a decider scheduled for Dec. 14 at the Big Dome.
Otherwise, it will be Mapua who does the celebration. – Joey Villar
Points:
Episode 84 – Escamis 30, Recto 15, Hubilla 9, Mangubat 8, Jabonete 8, Cuenco 4, Concepcion 4, Bancale 3, Igliane 3, Ryan 0, Abdulla 0
CSB73 data – Liwag 18, Cometa 13, Ancheta 10, Sangco 9, Sanchez 9, Ynot 7, Oli 3, Torres 2, Eusebio 2, Morales 0
Quarterscores: 26-20; 42-37; 57-48; 84-73
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