Mapua, St. Benilde barge into NCAA finals

MANILA, Philippines — Mapua captain Clint Escamis has made known to everyone that he only wants one thing – win the NCAA senior basketball championship.

The dynamo guard gave a fresh reminder of his true intent by powering the Cardinals to an 89-79 victory over the Lyceum of the Philippines University Pirates and straight to the NCAA Season 100 finals at the Cuneta Astrodome.

“I want that NCAA championship,” said Escamis, who takes the chance to win it all against the St. Benilde Blazers, who claimed the other finals slot with a 79-63 win over last year’s king San Beda.

The best-of-three finale begins on Dec. 1 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

There, Escamis will not only earn a chance to quench his personal thirst but sate the championship appetite of the Mapua community seeking its first crown since last winning it all 33 years ago.

Allen Liwag led CSB to the finals with 20 points and eight rebounds while Tony Ynot scattered 17 points.