As the Mapua Cardinals brace for a high-stakes confrontation against the San Beda Red Lions in the winner-take-all Game 3 of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) men’s basketball finals, all eyes are on Season 99 MVP Clint Escamis, poised for his ultimate face-off against Jacob Cortez.
The narrative between Escamis and Cortez goes back from the Season 93 finals in 2017, a chapter where the Red Robins and the Greenies clashed for the NCAA junior basketball title.
Escamis, a pivotal leader for the Greenies, thwarted Cortez and the Red Robins’ aspirations for back-to-back championships in a thrilling three-game series.
Reflecting on Cortez’s remarkable journey since high school, Escamis acknowledged the evolution of his top rival.
“Grabe rin ‘yung progress niya knowing him since high school na sila JD Cagulangan, and I know he’s off the bench pa.”
Cortez, once a bench player, has emerged as a key force leading the Red Lions’ formidable attack.
In the recent matchup, Jacob Cortez, son of former La Salle Green Archer top scorer Mike Cortez, showcased his prowess with booming triples and a crucial 21-point output in the waning moments of the fourth period.
This standout performance propelled the Red Lions to a 71-65 victory over the Mapua Cardinals, setting the stage for a winner-takes-all battle for the Season 99 senior basketball crown.
Anticipation is at its peak as the no-tomorrow Game 3 is scheduled for Sunday at 2 p.m. at the Araneta Coliseum.
Following a season-high attendance of 22,465 spectators in the gripping Game 2 at the Mall of Asia Arena, expectations are soaring.
With the Mapua Cardinals eager to end a 32-year title drought, all eyes are on Cortez’s deliberate moves on the floor, expected to create scoring opportunities for the Red Lions.
As the clock counts down to this epic finale, Escamis, and Cortez are both hungry for NCAA supremacy in what promises to be an unforgettable showdown.