By Peter Atencio
The Mapua Cardinals ended a 33-year wait and claimed the 100th National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) men’s basketball crown on Saturday afternoon at the Araneta Coliseum.
The Cardinals ended the season with a 12-game winning streak, capped by a 94-82 smothering of the College of St. Benilde Blazers in Game 2 of their showdown to capture their first cage crown since 1991.
Marc Cuenco knocked in 19 points in leading the Cardinals to a 2-0 sweep of their best-of-three finals’ affair with the Blazers.
Clint Escamis shot 18 points, with his lone triple with 4:14 left handing Mapua its biggest lead, a 16-point, 82-66 spread with 4:14.6 left.
“Salamat sa Panginoon at binigay sa amin ito after 33 years. Thank you sa mga sumuporta. Tuwang-tuwa ako na finally, nakuha namin after three tries na nakarating sa finals,” said Cardinals’ coach Randy Alcantara, a week after his wards also took Game 1, an 84-73 beating of the Blazers.
It was the third title that Escamis has helped Mapua claim after leading the Red Robins to two high school crowns, with Alcantara as coach, back in 2016 and 2018.
Escamis banged in seven points in the last 6:50 of the second period as he found his range during a 9-0 blast at the start of the quarter, pushing the Cards away from a 24-23 lead and in to a 33-24 spread.
The Blazers fell behind, 45-37, off Escamis’ driving shot in the last 1:21 of the first half, where they committed 16 of their total 20 turnovers.
Justine Sanchez drained 24 points for the Blazers, while Winston Ynot and Allen Liwag tallied 17 and 14 points, respectively.
Chris Hubilla unloaded eight points for the Cardinals, with his jumper and three-point play in the 5:26 mark sending them to a 79-64 edge.
The 6’6” Liwag earlier took home the Most Valuable Player and Defensive Player of the Year awards, becoming the fourth Blazer to earn this honor after Sunday Salvacion (2002), Jay Sagad (2005), and Will Gozum (2022).
Ynot (39.64) was named to the Mythical Team, along with Escamis (41.44 PAV), Lyceum’s John Barba (40.38), and San Sebastian’s Tristan Felebrico (39.5).