Rookie Clint Escamis leads Cardinals flight, wins NCAA weekly player plum

MANILA, Philippines – In Week 3 of the NCAA Season 99, surging Mapua University rose to the top of the standings after taking down two powerhouse squads with a homegrown rookie standing out big time in both wins.

Already off to a strong start in his debut season, star rookie Clint Escamis brought his game to another level when the Cardinals needed him the most by averaging 20 points, eight rebounds, six assists and six steals the past week as Mapua improved to a league-best 6-1 card.

For his impressive all-around performances, Escamis was awarded the season's third Collegiate Press Corps NCAA Player of the Week and the second Cardinal to do so after Paolo Hernandez in Week 2. 

Escamis edged out EAC’s King Gurtiza, Perpetual’s Jun Roque, Jacob Cortez of San Beda and Migs Oczon of St. Benilde for the weekly honors presented by San Miguel Corporation and backed by minor sponsors Discovery Suites and Jockey.

The 23-year-old guard dropped 20 points laced by seven rebounds, five assists, and a whopping eight steals to steer Mapua to a 77-71 win against defending champion Colegio de San Juan de Letran. 

He then capped off the week with another stellar outing in their 87-83 triumph over erstwhile league-leader Lyceum of the Philippines University.

Against the Pirates, the former Mapua high school standout scattered 20 markers, highlighted by a clutch top-of-the-key dagger triple, together with nine boards, seven dimes, and four swats as they took over the top spot.

For Escamis, it's all about repaying the trust given to him by Mapua.

"Sobrang saya and thankful talaga ako sa opportunity na binigay ni coach Randy (Alcantara) and ni coach Yong (Garcia) sa akin and thank God na pumasok 'yung shot na 'yun," Escamis said.

But the 5-foot-11 playmaker knows the job is far from done, setting his sights on their next games as the Cardinals eye a Final Four return.

"There was a lot of excitement towards this game kasi 'Battle of Intramuros' and battle for number one seed so 'yun talaga, keep on working talaga. But ayun, on to the next,” he beamed.