Mapua University’s prodigal son Clint Escamis is the best player in the National Collegiate Athletic Association Season 99 men’s basketball tournament.
Escamis, who returned to the Cardinals’ nest after playing for University of the East in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines last year, bagged the Rookie of the Year and the Most Valuable Player honors in the country’s oldest collegiate league after accumulating a player average value of 53.16 points.
He is also the second Rookie-MVP from Mapua since Allwell Oraeme did the trick in 2015.
The 23-year-old guard is the fifth Rookie-MVP in the NCAA after Gabby Espinas in 2004, Sam Ekwe in 2006, Oraeme in 2015 and Rhenz Abando in 2022.
In his first year back in the NCAA, Escamis averaged 16.28 points in the elimination round, leading Mapua to a 15-3 win-loss record for the top seed and a twice-to-beat advantage.
In the Final Four, Escamis was one of the key cogs for the Cardinals with 21 points and eight rebounds in their 78-67 win over College of Saint Benilde last 28 November.
The former Red Robin expressed gratitude and deep appreciation for the warm welcome the school gave him and he worked hard to repay the team’s trust during his one-year residency.
“I’m just so thankful to the whole Mapua community. From the coaches, teammates and God, this opportunity wouldn’t be possible without You,” said Escamis, who won two NCAA titles with the Red Robins in 2016 and 2018.
“Since Day One in practice and preseason, the confidence started and the chemistry came with it.”
Escamis also joins the Mythical 5 squad along with teammate Warren Bonifacio, Lyceum of the Philippines University’s Enoch Valdez, JP Maguliano of EAC and Jun Roque of the University of Perpetual Help System Dalta.
San Sebastian College’s Romel Calahat bagged the Defensive Player of the Year and joined Escamis, Valdez, Maguliano and Lorenz Capulong of Arellano University in the NCAA Season 99 Defensive Team.
Roque was also awarded the Most Improved Player of NCAA Season 99 while Letran College’s Jay Garupil won the Freshman of the Year award.
