By Jean Malanum
MANILA – Mapua University relied on Clint Escamis to prevail over Emilio Aguinaldo College, 83-77, in the NCAA Season 99 men’s basketball tournament at the Filoil EcoOil Arena in San Juan City on Wednesday.
Escamis scored 17 points, including a triple and two free throws, to help the Cardinals take solo leadership with 11 wins against three losses.
Lyceum is in second place at 10-3 followed by College of St. Benilde (9-4), San Beda University (8-4), Jose Rizal University (8-6), EAC (7-7) and University of Perpetual Help System Dalta (6-7).
Escarmis, one of the leading candidates for the MVP award, also had eight boards, four assists, three steals and a block.
“Of course, we are happy. This is what we want,” Mapua assistant coach JR Carlos said.
JP Maguliano scored 29 points for the Chiefs.
In the other game, San Sebastian College-Recoletos clobbered Letran, 94-75.
Rafael Are had 23 points and Rommel Calahat added 21 points for the Stags, who avenged their 86-71 loss to the Knights in the first round.
“Siyempre, one game at a time. Kung may chance pa kami, we’ll do our best in each and every game and to learn from it, ‘yun lang naman goal namin (Of course, one game at a time. If we still have a chance, we’ll do our best in each and every game and to learn from it, that’s our only goal),” Stags coach John Kallos said.
San Sebastian improved to 5-9 for eighth place, ahead of Arellano University (2-11), while Letran suffered its 13th loss against one win to stay at the bottom. (PNA)
