Cardinals get biglift from Escamis

MANILA, Philippines — There’s reason why Clint Escamis could emerge MVP and the Mapua Cardinals are the best team in the NCAA right now.

It was in full, panoramic view yesterday as Escamis and the fearsome Cardinals eliminated the Jose Rizal University Bombers in a 77-74 win that highlighted its NCAA Season 99 magnificence at the Filoil EcoOil Arena.

Save for three free throw misses late, Escamis was nothing short of spectacular as he piled up a stats-line to remember with 25 points spiked with five booming treys, five steals, four rebounds and four assists.

Escamis’ brilliance and the Cardinals’ lockdown defense sealed Mapua’s 15th win in 18 outings, the school’s best performance in the elimination round in recent memory.

“Sana makuha para kumpiyansa sa Final Four,” said Escamis on the possibility of snaring the individual award that everybody covets – the MVP plum.

The win also set Mapua up against St. Benilde, which lost to Emilio Aguinaldo College, 77-74, earlier and finished as the fourth seed with an 11-7 mark, in the Final Four starting Tuesday.