OVERCONFIDENCE KILLS: Escamis warns Cardinals to keep hands up amid Blazers looming fightback

Clint Escamis knows well that the fight isn’t far from finished.

Citing Mapua’s startling collapse against San Beda University (SBU) last year, the reigning Most Valuable Player (MVP) swears the Cardinals can’t afford to lower their guards when they face the College of Saint Benilde Blazers on Saturday in Game 2 of the Season 100 National Collegiate Athletic Association basketball tournament best-of-three title series.

Despite firing 30 points in Mapua’s emphatic 84-73 win in the series opener, Escamis has cautioned everyone on the team to feel complacent since lifting the NCAA trophy after a 33-year wait takes not one but two victories.

“We didn’t win a championship in Game 1 last year. So, the job’s not finished,” Escamis said as he braces for a serious fightback from the Blazers in their 2 p.m. encounter at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

“You don’t win a championship by yourself. It takes team effort and chemistry.”

Escamis knew how painful it was to get ahead only to lose the title.

In Season 99, Mapua took the first game, 68-63, over SBU in Game 1 at the Mall of Asia Arena and was on the verge of finally winning their first NCAA title since 1991.

But the Red Lions roared back, taking Game 2, 71-65, and Game 3, 76-66, to clinch their 23rd championship.

The series also spoiled what could have been a perfect return for Escamis to Mapua from the University of the East after he clinched both Mythical and Defensive Team selections apart from his Rookie of the Year and MVP plums.

To pull it off this Saturday, Escamis knows he has to tweak his game as the Blazers are going all-out to prevent him from running wild anew.

Escamis was the game changer in Game 1 as he scored 22 points in the first half.

Reminded that he is expected to be banged up by the Blazers, Escamis says he doesn’t mind that as long as his teammates take over the scoring cudgels.

A big and surprise performer in Game 1 was JC Recto, who shot 15 points off the bench.

“I expect that they will tighten up their defense on me. I need to get my teammates involved. When you’re a champion, the whole community celebrates,” added Escamis, noting that a title this year would mean a lot to the Intramuros-based school that will be celebrating its centennial in 2025.