MANILA – Clint Escamis connected a game-winning triple from way beyond the arc as Mapua University Cardinals defeated College of St. Benilde Blazers, 75-73, in the NCAA Season 100 men’s basketball at the FilOil EcoOil Arena in San Juan.
Down 72-73 with less than 10 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter, the Cardinals’ Chris Hubilla picked up a steal after the ball was mishandled by the Blazers’ Allen Liwag.
Hubilla then passed the ball to Escamis, who knocked down a three-pointer from three steps past the centerline at the buzzer to complete the Cardinals’ fightback from 20 points down.
Escamis finished with a game-high 26 points, 15 of which came in the second half, along with five assists, four rebounds, and a steal as the Cardinals tied the Blazers on top with a 13-3 win-loss slate.
Lawrence Mangubat added 12 points for the NCAA Season 99 runner up Cardinals, while Yam Concepcion chipped in 11 points, and Cyrus Cuenco contributed eight markers.
Liwag led the Blazers with a double-double of 15 points and 13 rebounds to go with five blocks, while Ian Torres finished with 10 markers, eight of which were made in the first half.
Meanwhile, Johnsherick “Jimboy” Estrada converted clutch baskets as Colegio de San Juan de Letran Knights scored a 75-71 escape over arch rival San Beda University Red Lions.
Trailing 70-71 after a 6-0 scoring blast from the Red Lions, Estrada knocked down a perimeter basket to swing the lead back to the Knights at 72-71 with 40.6 seconds remaining.
After a turnover by the Red Lions, Estrada knocked down another midrange basket to widen the Knights’ advantage to 74-71 before Nathaniel Montecillo sealed the win with a split free throw.
Estrada finished the match with 24 points, nine assists, five rebounds, one steal, and a block as the Knights halted their losing streak to improve to an 8-9 win-loss record./PN
