Mapua University repulsed hard-fighting Emilio Aguinaldo College, 83-77, yesterday to snatch the solo lead in Season 99 National Collegiate Athletic Association men’s basketball tournament at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
Clint Escamis, a leading candidate for the coveted Most Valuable Player award, showed the way with 17 points, eight rebounds, four assists and three steals as the Intramuros-based Cardinals rose in the standings with an 11-3 win-loss record.
Back-to-back points from Jopet Soriano with one minute and 17 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter gave Mapua a 77-73 advantage.
JP Maguliano’s charity split pushed the Generals to just three but Escamis drained a crucial triple to put the game in the bag.
For Escamis, consistency was the key and it will play a pivotal role in Mapua’s bid to earn a Final Four berth.
“I always preach to my teammates to be confident,” Escamis said.
“We need to improve every game and be efficient in defense.”
JP Magliano had a double-double game of 29 points and 10 rebounds in a losing effort as the Taft-based EAC dropped to a 7-7 slate.
In the first game, San Sebastian College defeated Letran College, 94-75.
Rafael Are had 23 points as the Golden Stags improved to a 5-9 record at eighth place.
Jay Garupil had 16 points as the crestfallen Knights remain stagnant at 10th place with a 1-13 record.
