Allen Liwag (left) can be an amazing defensive participant as proven in opposition to Yam Concepcion. —CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
Even earlier than the historic NCAA Season 100 began, the Mapua Cardinals and the School of St. Benilde Blazers have been already in conversations about potential Finals clashes.
In fact, the San Beda Pink Lions have been within the combine as champions the earlier season. However the exodus of some key gamers from their come-from-behind trophy run are gone.
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Ultimately, it was the Cardinals and the Blazers who made it to the final dance.
On paper, the Blazers command the benefit on this best-of-three sequence, if just for the presence of MVP contender Allen Liwag.
Nonetheless, by no means depend the Cardinals out.
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Reigning MVP Clint Escamis is surrounded by a strong help forged of Chris Hubilla, JC Recto, Cyrus Cuenco and Yam Concepcion.
“We pushed ourselves day by day in apply simply to return the to championship and at last win the title. Now that we acquired one other shot, this time we’ve got to do it proper,” mentioned Escamis.
“We’ve to come back up extra ready in opposition to Mapua. We’ve to be prepared, we’ve got to discover a technique to cease Clint Escamis and the Cardinals,” mentioned St. Benilde coach Charles Tiu on his second Finals look in three seasons.
The 2 groups cut up their preliminary spherical assignments. The Blazers crushed the Cardinals of their first assembly, however Mapua acquired again at St. Benilde within the encore—on a buzzer-beating, game-winning three by Escamis.
Particular title
Not that previous outcomes have something to do with the title on the road.
“We all know it’s a unique environment right here within the Finals, so we’ve got to be bodily and mentally ready,” mentioned Mapua coach Randy Alcantara, who has fallen quick in two earlier tries to nail an NCAA crown.
Successful the one hundredth staging of the event would make the wait value it for Mapua, however Alcantara and his wards will first must cope with the Blazers and the 6-foot-6 Liwag, who Mapua can’t match up in opposition to.
And even when Mapua defends Liwag by committee, that can solely unencumber St. Benilde’s plethora of shooters: Jhomel Ancheta, Gab Cometa, Tony Ynot and pushy ahead Justine Sanchez, amongst them.
“What we lack in dimension, we’ll make up for in protection and hustle. I believe we’ve got a deeper lineup by way of protection and hustle [compared to our previous teams in the Finals]. That is the benefit of this crew,” mentioned Alcantara.