Escamis-led Mapua outplays CSB to draw first blood

Photo: NCAA Images/GMA Sports

The Mapua Cardinals are one win away from winning the NCAA Season 100 men’s basketball crown.

Clint Escamis had an MVP-like performance with 30 points, 57% FG shooting, 4 assists, and 5 steals to spearhead his Cardinals to a crucial game one win in their second consecutive finals appearance.

CSB, back in the finals after their last appearance in Season 99, fell behind early and never recovered enough to take momentum from their most aggressive counterparts.

The runner-ups of the last two championship battles played solid, but Mapua excelled at keeping the basketball secure and creating more shot opportunities.

Allen Liwag led the Blazers with 18 points, 14 boards, 3 blocks, and 2 steals. Jhomel Ancheta and Gab Cometa combined to score 23, but Winston Ynot was limited to just 7 markers.

CSB coughed up the basketball 23 times and had just 58 shot attempts (44.8% conversion), while Mapua coughed the ball up just 11 times and took 16 more shot attempts, going 31/74.

The Cardinals were the tougher, more physical team, and it showed in the result.