Cardinals rule

MANILA, Philippines — With 36 seconds left, Clint Escamis and the Mapua Cardinals were already shedding tears of joy and celebrating, knowing the NCAA championship they have long dreamed of was within grasp.

And after the seconds ticked to the last, Mapua can now rest easy as the long 33-year wait was finally over. Glory came as the NCAA celebrated its 100th year.

It was signed, sealed and delivered in the form of a 94-82 victory over the St. Benilde Blazers yesterday for a 2-0 sweep of the series at the Smart Araneta Coliseum where Mapua’s faithful, red-and-gold-clad fans celebrated ecstatically.

Escamis and the rest of the Mapua team, with tears in their eyes, poured into center court as they claimed their first seniors crown since 1991, and Mapua’s sixth title overall.

Fittingly, some members of that fabled ‘91 team – Benny Cheng, Chester Lemen, Reynold So, Neri Ronquillo, George Baltazar and Darren Evanglista – were there to celebrate with coach Randy Alcantara, himself an integral cog of that mighty squad.

“Nagpapasalamat ako binigay na sa amin after 33 years. Finally, nakuha na namin after three tries na makapasok sa finals,” said Alcantara, wearing his old No. 13 jersey used during their 1991 title reign.

For Escamis, the redemption tour is complete.

“I just wanted this so bad ever since last year. Andun ako sa baba ng ring habang pinuputulan ng net. Ngayon ako na pumuputol,” said Escamis, who had 18 points despite being hobbled with cramps most of the final half.

Escamis was also judged Finals MVP, a year after he was named season MVP only to fall one win short of winning it all.

“Yun naging motivation namin,” said Escamis, who dropped 30 points in the 84-73 win in last week’s series opener.

The game also produced heroes in Cyrus Cuenco, Lawrence Mangubat and Chris Hubillla, who scattered 19, 17 and 15 points, respectively.

It was a bitter pill to swallow for the Blazers, who earlier in the season looked poised to win it all. But they gave it their best, and in the end, some were in tears, heads bowed, under their towels.