The NCAA Season 100 Finals-bound Mapua University Cardinals. Photo from NCAA PhilippinesMANILA — Mapua University has found its way back to the NCAA men’s basketball Finals.

The Cardinals took care of business against Lyceum of the Philippines University, with the Intramuros-based cagers eliminating the Pirates 89-79 to make their return to the championship stage.

This is the third Finals appearance of Mapua in the past three seasons.

READ: Clint Escamis fires career-best 33 to lead Mapua back to Finals

The Cardinals were swept by Colegio de San Juan de Letran in Season 98, and they again absorbed heartbreak against San Beda University in Season 99 in three games despite holding a 1-0 lead over the Red Lions in that series.

Fortunately for Mapua, they are, once again, back on NCAA basketball’s brightest stage.

"Kailangan [dumiin] eh. Iniisip ko na hindi kami twice-to-beat. Sinabi sa amin ng coaches na do-or-die na kami, so we should give it our all," said Cardinals star Clint Escamis, who had a career game in their 89-79 win over LPU on Saturday in their Season 100 Final 4 faceoff at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City.

"So celebrate lang ng kaunti, pero ready kami kahit sino man kalaban namin," he added.

The previous season was a bittersweet one for the 24-year-old do-it-all guard.

In addition to their Finals heartbreak, Escamis was also crowned as that year’s Rookie of the Year and Most Valuable Player (MVP) just in his return to the NCAA after spending a year with the University of the East in the UAAP.

However, Escamis pointed out that it was not his awards, but rather, their loss to San Beda that gave him the most valuable lessons, especially in Season 100.

"Ngayon, alam ko na kung pano iha-handle yung mga nangyayari," said Escamis, who was also a Mythical Team member in Season 100. "Alam ko na kung paano ishu-shut off yung mga outside noise, and yung how to handle yung pressure of playing in the Finals."

"First time ko last year eh. Kahit medyo veteran na ako sa college, iba pa rin yung Finals, so mai-instill ko ngayon sa akin at sa teammates ko yung maturity," he continued.

But aside from the personal gains that he got from those games, the 6-foot-1 guard — who just scored his personal-best 33 points — emphasized that those are mainly for Mapua which is, coincidentally, looking to end a 33-year title drought this season.

Mapua University star Clint Escamis. Photo from Rom Anzures, ABS-CBN News.

"Each year that passes, siyempre talagang patagal na ng patagal," Escamis said. "Pero I think 33 years is enough for the drought. Ilang beses na kaming nag Finals sa last decade, so kailangan na talaga namin manalo."

"Hopefully, ito na talaga yung time namin, yung perfect time manalo," he added.

Fortunately for the rookie-ladened Cardinals, Escamis himself is seeing how his teammates have shown progress in maturity throughout their campaign both in the eliminations and in their semifinals clash against LPU.

"Yung maturity sa game ang nag bago sa amin," said Escamis, who has been receiving backup from young guns Chris Hubilla, Yam Concepcion, and Lawrence Mangubat throughout the year.

"Kahit marami kaming mga young guns, hindi sila nagpa-panic. We keep our composure. Marami na kaming pinagdaanan, and we’ve learned from that so much," he added.

The Cardinals will face De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde in the Season 100 Best-of-3 Finals which starts on Sunday, December 1, at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.

READ: St. Benilde ends San Beda's reign to enter Season 100 Finals