Mapua University is pinning its hopes on Clint Escamis as it opens its Season 100 National Collegiate Athletic Association best-of-three title duel with College of Saint Benilde.

Cardinals head coach Randy Alcantara said Escamis is on a mission, knowing that leading them to their first title in 33 years will elevate him to a legendary status together with other Philippine Basketball Association players like Atoy Co and Alvin Patrimonio.

“Since our first day of practice in early January, I made him the captain ball. He had nothing more to prove other than to win a trophy,” said Alcantara, adding that Escamis will go all out when they face the dangerous Blazers in Game 1 on Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

“His leadership makes a positive impact on the team. He would come to practice early and do extra workouts.”

The 24-year-old Escamis saw a slight dip in his averages this season compared to last year when he emerged as Most Valuable Player.

In Season 99, Escamis averaged 16.28 points, 5.83 rebounds, 4.22 assists, and 3.78 steals per game while averaging 15.44 points, 3.61 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 1.89 steals per game this year.

Escamis has solid help from rookies Chris Hubilla, who averaged 12.89 points and 6.89 rebounds, and Lawrence Mangubat, who averaged 9.06 points and 4.06 rebounds, in Season 100 as Mapua seeks to end its three decades of futility.

Alcantara said their hustle will be their greatest asset against Saint Benilde, who boasts a solid big man in Allen Liwag.

“If you don’t hustle against Saint Benilde and not box out (Justine) Sanchez and Liwag, they will eat you inside the paint. We learned that lesson in our opening game against them,” Alcantara said.

“If you don’t fight back, they will score more than 30 points against you. We need to execute our defense and keep up with their offense.”