Mapua University star and NCAA Season 100 Finals MVP Clint Escamis. Photo from NCAA Philippines/Angela Davocol.

MANILA — Clint Escamis has finished his story of redemption for Mapua University in NCAA Season 100.

After a heartbreaking finish for the Cardinals against San Beda University in Season 99, the Intramuros-based cagers took care of business against De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde, one that came via a sweep that they completed on Saturday at the Araneta Coliseum.

READ: Mapua completes sweep of St. Benilde to clinch Season 100 championship

“Siyempre, this past year, sobrang sakit talaga kasi you're one game short away from a championship,” Escamis told ABS-CBN News after being hailed as the centennial year’s Finals MVP.

He was pointing to their three-game loss against the Red Lions last year. Despite winning Game 1, Mapua fell short of closing out the series in Game 2, and they went on to bow to the Yuki Andrada, James Payosing, and Jacob Cortez-led squad in the decider.

Escamis, who scattered 24.5 points, four assists, and four steals against CSB, previously expressed his desire for redemption right after their loss in 2023, but he shared that it was actually the process that was harder to deal with, especially with the uncertainty that clouded their team in their build-up for Season 100.

“You do it all over again, kaya the process in-between is so memorable talaga. Yun yung naisip ko eh, hindi yung moment na ‘to kasi one year yung pine-prepare mo for this,” shared Escamis, whose team dealt with the exits of big man Warren Bonifacio and his close friend Pao Hernandez.

“Siyempre yung gigil na makabalik ulit dito, yung mindset na every day mo isipin: gusto ko magka-championship ako, pero may uncertainty kung makakababalik ulit kami sa Finals, yun yung totoong memorable sa akin, yung pag try ulit, yung lubak-lubak na destination.”

Aside from this burden, Mapua also competed with a roster that leaned on rookies Chris Hubilla, Lawrence Mangubat, and Yam Concepcion, and one that, on paper, lacked big men, but Escamis never had doubts of the prowess of their neophytes.

“Sabi ko: Kaya namin ‘to, kahit maraming rookies, never ko naisip na hindi namin kaya ito,” he pointed out of the Mapua team that, after a 6-3 record in Round 1, went on to win 12 straight games including the Final 4 and the Finals.

“We overcame it, I overcame it, kinaya namin,” a relieved Escamis continued.

However, aside from the support of his teammates as well as his outstanding performance in the championship round, Escamis emphasized that one of the most vital for him was his lucky ‘charm,’ his girlfriend Jeanne Uy.

Mapua University star and NCAA Season 100 Finals MVP Clint Escamis with his girlfriend Jeanne Uy. Photo from NCAA Philippines/Angela Davocol.

“Siyempre malaking parte siya, malaking parte yung mga ginagawa niya para sa akin,” he said.

Escamis revealed that he and Uy were already dating during the Season 99 Finals but it was not after that when they became official. Other than the special connection that they share, Clint said that his girlfriend also played a huge role in maintaining his level of play this past season.

“Nag mo-motivate siya sa akin, at siyempre nire-remind niya rin ako pag nag re-relax ako, especially nung off-season,” bared Clint, who considers Uy as one of his biggest critics aside from being his biggest supporter.

“She reminds me na: ‘May standard ka kasi, ‘di lang pwedeng mga ganun-ganun lang yung laro mo. MVP ka, so every game talaga, you need to show the people and your opponents.”

“Kaya she helps me a lot, she keeps me in check talaga, definitely,” he continued.