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Mapua's Clint Escamis in action against San Beda in the NCAA Season 99 Men's Basketball Finals game 3 in Quezon City on December 17, 2023. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News/File

The Mapua University and San Beda University battle in the NCAA Season 99 Men's Basketball Finals game 3 in Quezon City on December 17, 2023. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News

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NCAA Season 99 Men's Basketball Finals Game 3

Romwel Anzures

ABS-CBN News

<div style="margin-bottom:0px;line-height:normal;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-color:rgb(0, 0, 0);min-height:13.8px"><span></span><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/172536329560720231210-ncaa99-sanbeda-mapua-1MD_0709 (1)-MD.jpeg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Mapua’s Clint Escamis in the NCAA Season 99 men’s basketball finals. Photo by Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News."/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Mapua’s Clint Escamis in the NCAA Season 99 men’s basketball finals. <em>Photo by Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News.</em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — Clint Escamis&#x27; return to the NCAA in 2023 nearly ended in storybook fashion.</p><p>After spending a year in Recto with the University of the East in the UAAP, the 6-foot-1 guard made a splash in his comeback to Intramuros with Mapua University, with Escamis starring for the Cardinals and winning the league&#x27;s Rookie of the Year and MVP awards.</p><p>He then led the Randy Alcantara-mentored team to a return trip to the Finals and even held a 1-0 advantage over San Beda University, but it all went downward from thereon as Mapua absorbed two straight losses and witnessed the Red Lions reclaim NCAA glory. </p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/12/17/23/san-beda-edges-mapua-to-reclaim-ncaa-basketball-crown">READ: San Beda edges Mapua to reclaim NCAA basketball crown</a></div><p>&quot;Sobrang heartbreaking non sa amin, especially one game na lang,&quot; the all-around guard said during the NCAA 100 press conference on Tuesday at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City. </p><p>&quot;Kaya day one ng practice namin [for this season], sinabi ni coach Randy na kailangan naming bawiin, &#x27;wag nating i-forget yung sakit na naramdaman namin, and turn that as motivation and inspiration. Ako, &#x27;di ko kinalimutan yung sakit yun. &#x27;Di naman ako umiyak pero I use that as motivation and fuel for this season,&quot; he continued.</p><p>Mapua is entering the league&#x27;s centennial year without the likes of Paolo Hernandez, Jopet Soriano, and Warren Bonifacio — all of whom were vital in their run to the championship round.</p><p>Fortunately for them, Chris Hubilla, Yam Concepcion, and John Jabonete are now on board for the Cardinals, and &quot;Kuya Clint&quot; is ready to take them under his wing. </p><p>&quot;I think mga six na lang kaming natira from the original lineup, so in-instill talaga namin na kailangan naming makabawi, kailangan nating ma-finish yung unfinished business. I really think na yung rookies namin ay nag buy in sa program and system namin,&quot; said Escamis. </p><p>&quot;I&#x27;m here to show na as a leader, especially coming from Warren Bonifacio. May mga katulong naman ako tulad nila JC Recto, Joaquin Garcia, so malaking bagay na may katulong. Sinasabihan ko rin sila Cyrus Cuenco na &#x27;di na kayo pwedeng manahimik ngayon. Wala na yung mga Paolo Hernandez and Jopet Soriano, tayo na yung mga seniors ngayon. Since day one, inayos namin yung discipline and team chemistry.&quot;</p><p>In addition, another positive for Mapua is how one of their recruits in Hubilla not only brings a ton to the table, but he also has the tools to fill in the holes that they have in their front court. </p><p>&quot;Sobrang laki niyang bagay especially coming from high school and sa UP. Sobrang grabe yung energy niya especially on the defensive side. Siya yung tipo ng player na walang attitude, nakikinig lang. Ako, as a senior niya, nakikinig siya pag pinapagalitan ko siya sometimes,&quot; quipped Escamis. </p><p>Turning serious, Escamis went straight to the point on his expectations for Mapua in Season 100. </p><div><span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom:0px;line-height:normal;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-color:rgb(0, 0, 0);min-height:13.8px"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/172536341493220231217-ncaa99-mapua-sanbeda-2MD_7199-MD.jpeg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Mapua’s Clint Escamis in the NCAA Season 99 men’s basketball finals. Photo by Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News."/><span class="fr-inner"><span contenteditable="true" id="isPasted" style="text-align:left">Mapua’s Clint Escamis in the NCAA Season 99 men’s basketball finals. <em>Photo by Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News.</em></span></span></span></span></div><p>&quot;Personal expectations? Finals — wala nang paligoy ligoy pa,&quot; he stressed.</p><p>To achieve this, Escamis had to make some personal adjustments ahead of his second season in the NCAA.</p><p>&quot;Nung [Finals], medyo hindi pa ako matured noon,&quot; said Escamis, who posted 16.4 points, 6.1 rebounds, 4.1 assists, and 3.4 steals in 22 appearances for the Cardinals in Season 99. </p><p>&quot;Right now, nag focus ako sa maturity ko and finding my teammates more, making my teammates more involved. &#x27;Yun yung kailangan ko kasi I&#x27;m expecting this season, yung defense mas iba eh. They know yung performance ko last year, so kailangan ko talagang mag adjust,&quot; he said.</p><p>The Cardinals will open their campaign on Saturday, 5:00 p.m., at the same Pasay-based arena when they go up against the College of St. Benilde.</p><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><div><ivs-player data-ivs-key="e8c22c015ca9eafa76f1e3edfa03c603" data-ivs-spid="3001339" data-ivs-vid="3067653"></ivs-player></div><script src="https://player.ivideosmart.com/ivsplayer/v4/dist/js/loader.js"></script>

<p>Clint Escamis’ return to the NCAA in 2023 almost ended in storybook fashion.</p>

Fueled by Finals heartbreak, Clint Escamis eyes redemption in NCAA 100

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Fueled by Finals heartbreak, Clint Escamis eyes redemption in NCAA 100

Romwel Anzures,

ABS-CBN News

Published Sep 04, 2024 09:00 AM PHT

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