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| Clint Escamis exploded at the right time for finals-bound Mapua. NCAA |
MANILA––Mapua remains the king of Intramuros.
The Cardinals clipped cross-district rivals Lyceum Pirates, 89-79, to advance to the NCAA men's basketball finals for the second straight time at the start of the Final Four on Saturday at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay.
Clint Escamis fired a career-high 33 points to lead Mapua, especially in the fourth quarter, where the team outscored Lyceum, 26-14, to bounce back from an eight-point third quarter that helped put the Pirates ahead after the said period.
Escamis had a chance to match the league season-high set by Letran's Deo Cuajao of 34 points, but he missed a free throw late in the game.
Escamis, last season's Most Valuable Player, added four rebounds, three assists, two steals, and one block as the Cardinals will play in the gold medal round for the third time in four seasons as they look to finally end 33 years of frustration.
Chris Hubilla added 17 points, eight rebounds, one assist, and three steals.
JM Bravo matched his career-high with 20 points alongside 10 rebounds, one assist, and one block for the Pirates, who will play in the battle for third for the second straight year.
The scores:
MAPÚA 89 – Escamis 33, Hubilla 17, Recto 10, Mangubat 7, Concepcion 7, Cuenco 6, Igliane 4, Bancale 4, Jabonete 1, Ryan 0, Garcia 0
LYCEUM 79 РBravo 20, Barba 14, Vilegas 12, Guada̱a 12, Daileg 6, Versoza 6, Moralejo 3, Cunanan 2, Monta̱o 2, Pe̱afiel 2, Aviles 0
Quarterscores: 29-21, 55-46, 63-65, 89-79
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