NCAA MVPs Clint Escamis and Allen Liwag both show up in spades for their respective teams as Mapua and St. Benilde take down gutsy Arellano and EAC, respectively, in the NCAA Season 101 men’s basketball wars

MANILA, Philippines – Clint Escamis bounced back in style from his quiet season debut as he carried the defending champion Mapua Cardinals to a 90-87 win over the Arellano Chiefs in the NCAA Season 101 men’s basketball tournament at the Playtime FilOil Centre on Saturday, October 4. 

After putting up only 8 points on 4-of-15 shooting in the Cardinals’ 90-89 double overtime victory against the Lyceum Pirates in the season-opener last Wednesday, October 1, Escamis reminded everyone why he was once a league MVP as he erupted for 29 points on an efficient 10-of-16 field goal clip.

Escamis was on target from long distance, knocking down all his four three-point attempts while also tallying 3 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals for the Cardinals, who improved to 2-0 in Group A action.

Cyrus Cuenco backed up the Season 100 Finals MVP Escamis with 14 points, while key transferees Cyril Gonzales and Cyrus Nitura poured in 12 and 10 points, respectively.

The former Perpetual Help standout Nitura — who was scoreless in the previous game — went 3-of-3 from the field and also hauled down 10 rebounds for the Cardinals.

Basti Valencia led Arellano (0-1) in scoring with 13 points, while Renzo Abiera and Joseph Hernal had 12 and 11 markers, respectively.

Over in Group B, the College of St. Benilde Blazers redeemed themselves from their tough, 11-point opening-day loss to the San Beda Red Lions with a 74-63 beatdown of the EAC Generals.

Justine Sanchez showed the way for the Blazers (1-1) with 16 points built on four triples, while reigning MVP Allen Liwag racked up an all-around stat line of 14 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, and 3 blocks.

On the other side, Jude Bagay paced the Generals (0-1) in the loss with team-highs of 15 points and 7 rebounds.

The Scores 

First Game

Mapua 90 – Escamis 29, Cuenco 14, Gonzales 12, Nitura 10, Sapasap 9, Reyes 5, Concepcion 5, Lazarte 4, Recto 2, Gulapa 0, Igliane 0, Delos Reyes 0, Ryan 0.

Arellano 87 – Valencia 13, Abiera 12, Hernal 11, Ongotan 10, Libang 10, Camay 8, Cabotaje 6, Borromeo 5, Vinoya 4, Geronimo 4, Demetria 4, Acop 0, Buenaventura 0, Miller 0.

Quarters: 20-22, 46-51, 67-64, 90-87.

Second Game

CSB 74 – Sanchez 16, Liwag 14, Cometa 9, Torres 7, Umali 6, Moore 6, Celis 5, Ancheta 4, Gaspay 2, Morales 2, Cajucom 2, Eusebio 1, Oli 0, Daja 0, Galas 0.

EAC 63 – Bagay 15, Oftana 10, Castillo 8, Angeles 8, Loristo 6, Ochavo 4, Postanes 4, Shanoda 3, Villarente 3, Lucero 2, Tolentino 0, Dominguez 0, Omandac 0, Quinal 0, Bacud 0.

Quarters: 22-17, 37-32, 57-46, 74-63.

– Rappler.com