Published December 7, 2024 9:44pm
Updated December 7, 2024 9:44pm
A promise has been delivered.
Clint Escamis and Randy Alcantara made a pledge to Mapua University head coach Randy Alcantara that they won’t be letting the title slip away this time around, drawing inspiration from their heartbreak last year.
Escamis fulfilled that promise by bringing the Cardinals back to the promised land as they reigned supreme in the NCAA Season 100 on Saturday to end a dreadful 33-year title drought.
It was a fitting end to a long-awaited seniors basketball success for both Escamis and Alcantara years after they made the same journey in the juniors level.
“Sabi niya, ‘di na niya papakawalan. After naming manalo sa Lyceum, nilapitan niya ako at niyakap ako, sabi niya ‘Coach, ‘di na natin ‘to papakawalan’,” Alcantara said on the heels of their 94-82 Game 2 win.
“So ginawa naman niya.”
Escamis and Alcantara had a special bond that traces back to the NCAA juniors contest.
Together, they helped the Red Robins capture the Season 92 title, ending San Beda’s seven-year ownership of the throne.
They repeated in Season 94, denying La Salle Green Hills their bid for back-to-back titles which saw Escamis play through injury.
Escamis then initially moved on from Mapua as he decided to play for University of the East in the UAAP.
But home is where the heart is for Escamis as he made a Mapua comeback in Season 99 where he led the way to bring the school back to the finals. That did not materialize, but they used that heartbreak as their fuel in their Season 100 campaign.
“Sobrang sarap kasi knowing na nakuha ko ‘yung MVP last year pero wala, talo kami. So masakit sa puso ko talaga kasi somehow, ako lang ‘yung masaya eh,” Escamis said.
“Pero this year, okay lang kahit wala akong individual award. I set that aside kasi team first talaga muna. Gusto ko ‘yung whats good for the team. ‘Yun ‘yung nangyari.”
Alacantara, of course, was nothing short of proud to have a player like Escamis by his side.
“Nakakuha kami ng gano’ng klaseng player and hindi talaga nagpapatalo eh. Nakita naman natin sa juniors pa lang, last finals, may injury na siya no’n pero naglaro pa rin,” Alcantara added.
“Iba ‘yung puso ng Clint Escamis at talagang very special, sabi nga namin kanina: mission accomplished.”
—JKC, GMA integrated News
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