Mapua Cardinals’ Clint Escamis (left) receiving his award as the men’s basketball player of the year during the 2025 Collegiate Press Corps Awards Night. –HANDOUT PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—Mapua may have had a tough offseason heading into the NCAA Season 101 men’s basketball tournament but Clint Escamis is still confident the Cardinals can pull off another championship.
Instead of having a carefree offseason after winning the Season 100 championship, the Cardinals were immediately put in a sticky situation with the departure of some of their key players.
But with the tools they have, Escamis has faith in this team’s capabilities.
READ: NCAA: Clint Escamis enjoys title for now amid questions about return
“I’m not going to lie, the team had a lot of problems but it’s part of the process. Acknowledging the problem is the first part then we should improve afterwards,” said Escamis after receiving his 2025 Collegiate Press Corps Men’s Basketball Player of the Year award.
“I think the team is doing pretty well for now, especially since we played a lot already in the preseason so by Season 101, I think we’ll be ready.”
NCAA Season 100 Finals MVP Clint Escamis of Mapua Cardinals. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
After Escamis announced his return to the Cardinals for one more season, an array of players left the Intramuros camp for greener pastures.
Most recently, Jeco Bancale and John Jabonete let go of their playing years to go pro in the Maharlika Pilipinas basketball League (MPBL) with the Cebu Classic.
However, the biggest piece to go was arguably Chris Hubilla, who switched lanes to Jose Rizal University with shooters Lawrence Mangubat and Jahmir Eligado.
READ: NCAA: After twists and turns, Chris Hubilla finds winning moment in Mapua
Fortunately, Mapua has backups.
“We had those problems [of players leaving] before, we weren’t so worried because we have a lot of capable guys of filling those spots,” said the Season 100 Finals MVP.
“I think it’s a big factor that they’re here. I think they can fill those roles and even over-exceed,” he added.
Beefing up the Cardinals’ bid for back-to-back titles are Drex Delos Reyes, Joe Gulapa and Cyril Gonzales, who already had his taste of a collegiate championship with the University of the Philippines.
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Season 101 will be Escamis’ last hurrah for Mapua before fully exhausting his collegiate playing years.
