Escamis leads Mapua to Finals win over Lyceum

Clint Escamis led the Mapua Cardinals to a decisive 89-79 victory over the Lyceum Pirates in the NCAA Season 100 men's basketball tournament on Saturday, securing their return ticket to the Finals after a 32-year title drought.

Escamis scored an impressive career-high 33 points and emphasized that this is 'perfect timing' for Mapua to win their first title in 72 years, especially if they face San Beda again.

This is the third Finals appearance of Mapua in the past three seasons, where they will play against De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde starting December 1 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Chris Hubilla contributed significantly with 17 points and crucial free throws in the fourth quarter when Mapua pulled away from Lyceum.

Lyceum's JM Bravo led his team with a double-double of 20 points and 10 rebounds but missed critical free throws that cost them the game.