Escamis named as NCAA Player of the Week

As Mapua ascended to the top of the leaderboard in NCAA Season 99, the Cardinals needed the exploits of a returning guard to pull off two massive victories.

Clint Escamis averaged twenty points, eight rebounds, six assists, and six steals for Mapua's two victories this week, leading to the Cardinals taking solo leadership with a 6-1 record.

Against defending champions Letran, the transfer from the University of the East dropped twenty points, seven rebounds, five assists, and eight steals to secure a 77-71 victory.

And this past Saturday, in a much-anticipated matchup with Lyceum involving the two-best teams so far this season, the former Red Robin also scattered twenty points, including a top-of-the-key dagger triple, while also grabbing nine rebounds, and seven assists in a near-triple-double performance. He also added four blocks in the 87-83 victory to send the Pirates to back-to-back losses after winning their first six games.

His achievements impressed the scribes covering the beat, and was named as its NCAA Player of the Week this season by the Collegiate Press Corps. Escamis beat our King Gurtiza of Emilio Aguinaldo College, Jun Roque of Perpetual, Jacob Cortez of San Beda, and Miguel Oczon of the College of Saint Benilde for the weekly nod, and succeeded teammate Paolo Hernandez in the process.

Escamis notes the trust that the team puts in him as the reason for his excellent play. He tells the media after their game against the Pirates, "Sobrang saya and thankful talaga ako sa opportunity na binigay ni coach Randy (Alcantara) and ni coach Yong (Garcia) sa akin and thank God na pumasok 'yung shot na 'yun."

The 5'11 playmaker acknowledges that there is still work looming ahead with a return trip to the postseason in the horizon.

He beams, "There was a lot of excitement towards this game kasi 'Battle of Intramuros' and battle for number one seed so 'yun talaga, keep on working talaga. But ayun, on to the next."

The Player of the Week citation is presented by the San Miguel Corporation and is backed by minor sponsors Discovery Suites and Jockey.