Mapua Cardinals’ coach Randy Alcantara and Finals MVP Clint Escamis after winning the NCAA Season 100 men’s basketball championship. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines—Clint Escamis’ uncertain status for NCAA Season 101 hovered above Mapua coach Randy Alcantara after winning the championship that had eluded the Cardinals for 33 years.
But that didn’t dampen Alcantara’s excitement at all as he’s just happy to bring a title to Mapua, a feat that he was able to do as a player 33 years ago.
Article continues after this advertisementIf anything, the veteran tactician was nothing but confident when asked about the squad’s future status following their historic triumph of the Season 100 title.
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“With our lineup, we’re okay but of course… we’ll check on what our MVP’s decision will be,” said Alcantara in jest following their 94-82 win over College of St. Benilde in Game 2 at Araneta Coliseum on Saturday.
Article continues after this advertisement“But whoever will be put in our lineup for next year will definitely face the same type of competition that we had this year, against teams who are all improving and becoming stronger.”
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Mapua Cardinals’ Clint Escamis during Game 2 of the NCAA Season 100 men’s basketball Finals against St. Benilde Blazers. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
Escamis, who was hailed as the Season 100 Finals MVP, may have played his final season for the Cardinals as he now only has one optional year to compete again at the collegiate level.
Article continues after this advertisementYesteryear’s season MVP was non-committal, himself, regarding whether he’d return or not but that didn’t seem to faze Alcantara much.
READ: NCAA: Clint Escamis enjoys title for now amid questions about return
Article continues after this advertisementAfter all, should Escamis decide to forgo his final year for the Intramuros-based squad, Mapua will still be heavily equipped with young guns that still have some years with the Cardinals.
For one, Mapua’s expecting the progressions of its core with players like Chris Hubilla, Laurence Mangubat, JC Recto and Cyrus Cuenco, to name a few.
Cuenco spearheaded the Cardinals’s historic title-clinching win over the Blazers with 19 points. Mangubat, meanwhile, scattered 17 points to help Hubilla’s near double-double of 15 points and eight rebounds.
As far as Alcantara’s concerned, once the adrenaline of the title dies down, it’s back to square one for him and the Cardinals in the offseason.
“[We’ll do the] same things. We’ll go back to work after our celebration. We’ll prepare those who will be replacing our graduating players,” said Alcantara.
“Hopefully, that next batch sees how good it is to win a championship, even if it’s not that easy.”
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As of writing, only two players from the Mapua camp will be exiting the lineupmegapanalo, namely Joaquin Garcia and Aaron Fermin.
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