Clint Escamis understands the heavy load he's about to shoulder as he finally makes his Mapua homecoming.

Mapua's Clint Escamis. (FilOil EcoOil Sports' photo)

Fortunately for the Cardinals, he's up to the task.
"Sobrang laking responsibility nung binibigay sa akin nila coach and I'm willing to take it," he said, wasting no time to own the go-to guy tag for his team in the 2023 Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup.

A two-time champion in the high school ranks with the Red Robins, Escamis returns home to Intramuros grizzled as he aims to replicate his success in the seniors level in Mapua.

But that's more than just lighting up the scoreboards as the 5-foot-11 court general said, "Hindi lang sa points; sa lahat dapat: rebounding, assists, depensa. Kailangan ko ma-up yung teammates ko."

It's exactly to the liking of his longtime mentor Randy Alcantara, who was also quick to remind the rest of the Cardinals that their success doesn't solely hinge on Escamis alone.

"Bumalik si Clint, pero 'di natin pwede ibigay lagi kay Clint. Leader yan since high school. Masaya kami na kasama namin siya sa journey na ito, pero 'di lang siya nang siya lagi," the mentor said.

"Ang maganda sa amin, champion yung mga bata mula pa nung high school, si Clint, si [Warren] Bonifacio, at 'di mo na maaalis yung experience na yun. Ang mahalaga lang is ma-impart nila yung experience na yun sa iba."

Escamis, for his part, has already taken that to heart.
"Sabay-sabay kaming aangat dapat. Hindi kami makukuntento," he said. "Malaki yung responsibility, pero kailangan lahat yun sumunod sa sistema."