Mapua rode on the stellar performance of Clint Escamis as it turned back an upset-conscious Arellano U, 90-87, yesterday to seize the solo lead in NCAA Season 101 at the Filoil EcoOil Arena.
The Season 99 MVP unloaded 29 points including a perfect four-and-four from beyond the arc and laced it with three rebounds and the same number of assists and steals.
It was a bounceback effort for Escamis after a forgettable eight-point performance in their 90-89 double overtime victory over Lyceum of the Philippines U in last Wednesday’s inaugurals at the Big Dome.
‘I just want to make up for that bad game,’ said Escamis, who is on his final tour of duty.
‘I know my teammates got my back but I really want to perform for them,’ he added.
It was another come-from-behind win for the back-to-back title-seeking Cardinals, who trailed by as many as 13 points in the second quarter before turning the tide around in the second half.
‘We showed the never-say-die mentality that we’re used to and our heart of a champion that refuses to lose,’ said Escamis.
In the other game, St. Benilde smashed Emilio Aguinaldo College, 74-63, to improve to 1-1.