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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Basketball devider Mapua guns for NCAA men's basketball title vs CSB

Mapua guns for NCAA men's basketball title vs CSB

Published Dec 6, 2024 05:20 am

At A Glance

  • It was a deja vu of sorts for Mapua as the Cardinals once again gun for their first NCAA men's basketball in three decades when they battle the College of St. Benilde Blazers on Saturday, Dec. 7, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

It was a deja vu of sorts for Mapua as the Cardinals once again gun for their first NCAA men’s basketball in three decades when they battle the College of St. Benilde Blazers on Saturday, Dec. 7, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Game 2 of their best-of-three finals series starts at 2:30 p.m. with the Cardinals hoping to learn from last year’s heartbreak.

MU Clint Escamis vs AU Anthony Borromeo.jpg

Last season, Mapua came close to ending its 32-year-old title drought by taking Game 1 against San Beda, only to lose that chance from its grasp after yielding the next two games.

This time, however, reigning Most Valuable Player Clint Escamis said they are determined not to repeat the same mistakes.

“Sobrang sakit kasi yung nangyari last season na one win away na lang kami sa title, natalo pa. So feeling ko naman, natuto na kami dun,” said a determined Escamis, who remains a vital cog in the Cardinals’ imposing run after erupting for 30 points in their 84-73 Game 1 last Sunday, Dec. 1.

Mapua is riding the crest of an 11-game winning streak, including a nine-game sweep of the second-round eliminations, but rest assured that the Cardinals are not taking this second game lightly.

“Last year, masyado kaming naging comfortable nung Game 2. Hindi na pwedeng maulit yun,” said John Recto, who contributed significant numbers despite limited minutes the last time.

“Basta ngayon, ibibigay ko na talaga best ko from first quarter hanggang matapos ang buzzer. Hindi pa tapos ang laban,” he added.

Easier said than done. After all, expect St. Benilde to go all out with its back against the wall.

The Blazers failed to maximize their potential in Game 1 with their lackluster, erratic performance, where they allowed the Cardinals to control the game throughout.

It also didn’t help that they gave up 34 points on turnovers.

“We basically gave them the game,” said St. Benilde coach Charles Tiu.

“We threw the ball away. They outworked us. We’re not gonna win if we give up 23 turnovers and 34 turnover points,” he added.

But the Blazers are not throwing in the towel yet.

“We will not quit, though,” Tiu said as he casts his eyes anew on Allen Liwag, Gab Cometa and Jhomel Ancheta to match the Cardinals’ arsenal.

Game 3, if necessary, is next Saturday, Dec. 14, at the same venue.

Related Tags

Mapua Cardinals College of St. Benilde Blazers NCAA Philippines
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