By MARK REY MONTEJO
With his sustained brilliance, Clint Escamis made his rookie year with Mapua a very special one.
Adored not only for his good looks but as well as his feathery touch from afar and daring plays, Escamit joined an elite club after winning both the top rookie and Most Valuable Player awards in the NCAA Season 99 Sunday, Dec. 10, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
The 6-foot guard secured his place in the history of the country’s oldest collegiate league by tallying 53.16 points in the Player’s Average Value to beat out Lyceum’s Enoch Valdez (44.82).
He became the fifth player since Philippine Christian University’s Gabby Espinas (2004), San Beda’s Sam Ekwe (2006), Mapua’s Allwell Oraeme (2015) and Letran’s Rhenz Abando (2021) to win both the top rookie and MVP awards.
For the rookie award, Escamis, 23, beat out San Beda’s Jomel Puno.
He also led the Mythical Selection that included Valdez, Perpetual’s Art Roque (41.50), EAC’s JP Maguliano (41.27) and teammate Warren Bonifacio (39.33).
Interestingly, when Abando won the both the top rookie and MVP awards, the Knights ended a long title drought.
Meanwhile, San Sebastian’s Romel Calahat took home the Defensive Player of the Year. Also making to defensive team were Valdez, Escamis, Maguliano and Arellano’s Lorenz Capulong.
Roque also took the Most Improved Player honor while Freshman of the Year went to Letran’s Jay Garupil.
