By KRISTEL SATUMBAGA
The Mapua Cardinals drew the first blood in their championship series against the College of St. Benilde Blazers in the NCAA Season 100 men’s basketball but admit that it would become insignificant if they can’t sustain their momentum.
So expect them to even play with more fire and passion in Game 2 on Saturday as they intend to end their 33-year championship spell.
“Siyempre masarap sa pakiramdam na manalo sa Game 1, but job is not yet done,” said reigning Most Valuable Player Clint Escamis moments after they took Game 1, 84-73, of their best-of-three finals over the weekend.
Escamis added there are no time to relax and no room for errors if they are to avoid the fate that befell the last season against the San Beda Red Lions.
“Feeling ko naman natuto na kami from last season,” said Escamis, who dropped 30 points, five steals and four assists.
“Sobrang sakit kasi yung nangyari last season na one win away na lang kami sa title, natalo pa. Feeling ko mas sobrang saking pa yon kesa sa last place standing. So nag-rebuilt lang kami. and I think it takes good coaches and players to buy in to that system na makabangon.”
JC Recto, who contributed 15 points, echoed the sentiment.
“Nakakahinga na nang maluwag pero dapat stay composed lang din kami ngayon. Hindi kami pwedeng mawala sa focus,” said Recto.
“Last year, konting mali lang namin, dinidiin na kami ng Beda kaya ganun ang nangyari, so this time, talagang gagawin namin ang best namin,” he added.
Though momentum is on their side heading to Game 2 on Saturday, Dec. 7, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, Escamis said they still needed to improve on their game plan.
The Cardinals were able to put defensive stops on the Blazers, even forcing them to numerous turnovers, but key players Allen Liwag, Gab Cometa and Jhomel Ancheta still finished in double figures with 18, 13 and 10 points, respectively.
“Siyempre mag-a-adjust yung Benilde. Kami rin mag-a-adjust. We were able to limit their key players, pero mas kailangang pulido pa dapat kami sa game plan namin,” he said.
A Game 3, if necessary, is set on Dec. 14.
