Clint Escamis flashed his MVP form and drained a buzzer-beating triple as Mapua squeaked past College of St. Benilde, 75-73, for the share of the lead in NCAA Season 100 men’s basketball at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City on Sunday, Nov. 10.

Escamis dished out a steal from Allen Liwag’s dribbling turnover in the waning seconds before rifling the game-winning shot that shook the fans of the Cardinals.

Mapua’s victory, which extended its winning streak to seven games, not only improved its win-loss tally to 13-3 but also forged a two-way tie with its victim at the helm.

It also halted St. Benilde’s five-game winning run and avenged its 78-65 opening-day loss last Sept. 7.

Escamis admitted he was surprised by that last game sequence.

“Speechless ako sa nangyari,” said Escamis, who capped off his performance with 26 points, four rebounds, five assists and the lone crucial steal that decided the outcome of the game. “Tumingin ako sa time, four seconds na lang. Medyo malayo pa to do a layup and may defender dun, kaya naisipan ko na lang to make that shot.”

“Yun talaga biggest shot of my career so far. I made clutch shots the past season, but never a game-winner with a Steph-Curry range,” he added.

Mapua actually trailed as many as 20 points in the game, 54-34, but went to a scoring barrage in the third quarter where it held St. Benilde to only nine points while firing 21 to cut its deficit to only three, 60-63.

A Marc Cuenco trey and an Escamis layup gave the Cardinals their biggest lead in the game with 2:34 left, 72-70, before Allen Liwag and Winston Ynot conspired for four points to help the Blazers regain the 73-72 upperhand.

But then it was Escamis’ time to shine.

Lawrence Mangubat also came through with 12 points for Mapua, while Yam Concepcion chipped in 11 points and five boards.

The Cardinals also took advantage of the Blazers’ erratic plays, converting 24 turnover points, while managing with only five turnovers throughout the game.

Four players scored in double figures in a losing cause for St. Benilde, with Liwag posting 15 points, and the trio of Ian Torres, Gab Cometa and Matthew Oli managing 10 apiece.

Meanwhile, Letran found a redeemer in Jimboy Estrada as it turned back archrival San Beda, 75-71, to stay in the Final Four hunt.

Estrada poured in nine of his 24 points in the fourth quarter including back-to-back jumpers in the final 47 seconds that sealed the Knights an 8-9 record and breathed life to their semis bid.

Letran, however, must hurdle its last elimination round foe in Arellano on Wednesday, Nov. 13, and pray none of Lyceum and Emilio Aguinaldo College reach the 10-win plateau.

“We’re basically fighting for a playoff for a Final Four slot,” said Letran coach Allen Ricardo.

It was a stinging defeat for the Lions as although they have already punched a semis ticket, it will no longer have a chance to battle for a twice-to-beat bonus in the Final Four because of the loss.

San Beda dropped to 10-6.

The scores:

First Game

MAPUA 75 – Escamis 26, Mangubat 12, Concepcion 11, Cuenco 8, Hubilla 5, Recto 5, Igliane 4, Bancale 4 Fermin 0, Abdulla 0.

ST. BENILDE 73 – Liwag 15, Torres 10, Cometa 10, Oli 10, Ynot 9, Sanchez 7, Ancheta 5, Eusebio 3, Cajucom 3, Sangco 1, Ondoa 0, Morales 0, Turco 0.

Quarters: 16-28; 39-54; 60-63; 75-73.

Second Game

Second Game

LETRAN 75 – Estrada 24, Monje 15, Cuajoa 11, Montecillo 10, Javillonar 8, Jumao-As 3, Nunag 2, Santos 2, Miller 0, Dimaano 0.

SAN BEDA 71 – Payosing 16, Puno 15, Lina 10, Andrada 8, Tagle 8, Gonzales 5, Calimag 4, Estacio 3, Songcuya 2, Royo 0, Celzo 0, Sajonia 0.

Quarters: 22-23; 40-38; 57-57; 75-71.