Escamis, Dela Rosa seeking more glory

Clint Escamis and Kacey dela Rosa are far from done despite bagging the prestigious Basketball Players of the Year during the 2025 San Miguel Corporation-Collegiate Press Corps Awards Night at Discovery Suites Manila in Pasig City on Monday.

Escamis said winning the award fuels him to work harder as he seeks to lead Mapua University to a back-to-back National Collegiate Athletic Association title after more than 30 years of slumber.

“I’m honored for this award and I know I couldn’t have done this without my teammates,” said Escamis, who is set to return for his final season with the Cardinals.

“Winning this award fuels me to help Mapua win back-to-back championships.”

The same mindset goes for Dela Rosa, who is looking to lead Ateneo de Manila University to the women’s title in the coming Season 88 of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP).

“Of course, I’m proud to get this honor,” the reigning UAAP Most Valuable Player (MVP) said.

“But I still want to help Ateneo win a title in Season 88.”

The hunt for continued glory did not elude the minds of the top individual performers even in a night where the best of the best of the past collegiate athletic season was celebrated by the unified group of sportswriters covering the collegiate beat.

Escamis bannered the Collegiate Men’s Basketball Mythical Team together with JD Cagulangan of University of the Philippines, Kevin Quiambao and Michael Phillips of De La Salle University, and Allen Liwag of College of Saint Benilde.

Dela Rosa, for her part, joined Cielo Pagdulagan of National University, Kent Pastrana of University of Santo Tomas, Elaine Etang of Adamson University, and Louna Ozar of University of the Philippines in the Collegiate Women’s Basketball Mythical Five.