Mapúa University Assistant Head Coach Marlon Keith Martin was fully aware of the offensive struggle of their reigning Finals MVP, Clint Escamis, during their last win on November 26 at the FilOil EcoOil Arena in San Juan City.
A Team Captain Knows What Must Be Sacrificed for a Win
During the postgame interview with the winning team, Assistant Head Coach Marlon Keith Martin noted that graduating Escamis just adjusted to the changes made by the coaching staff as they survived their Quarterfinals match against the College of Saint Benilde.
“Kita naman all throughout the season ano that the coaches are trying to make adjustments kase nga yung nakuha natin mga players are capable of doing their offensive things. So si Clint naman being a good leader pinakita niya rin na on how he can facilitate din yun mga pwede naming gawing adjustments. Actually yung pag accept niya sa role its big but then tulad nga non dahil sa binigay niya opportunity, nag st-step up talaga mga teammates niya.”
In the Season 100 Finals rematch, the graduating Industrial Engineering from the Cardinals went 0 of 10 from the field and his 2 points only came from the free throw line. But he still had 4 assists, a steal and 5 rebounds after 22 minutes of playing.
Lesson Learned from the Elimination Round
Despite leading all throughout the game, the Blazers were able to cut the 15 point lead of the Cardinals to just 4 points in the 3rd quarter.
When asked about what was discussed in the timeouts during this rally, Coach Martin said that the team has learned from their past as they have experienced something like this numerous times in the elimination round.
“Ah siguro nakatulong yung previous games namin eh. May mga games talaga kami na nag dominate kami sa 1st Half, then sa 3rd Quarter and 4th Quarter nag dwindle (down) tulad nung sa San Sebastian game and Arellano. Siguro nakatulong yung experience namin doon sa mga games and then at the same time of course, yung championship mentality rin na kumbaga nagkaroon sila, they remained composure so talagang maganda yung naging showing namin today especially sa closing.”
The 73 – 58 win by the Cardinals was a testament that they have what it takes to erase the twice to beat disadvantage they were facing against the Blazers and that despite their best player not making any shots, their offensive arsenal is still something to be wary about.
Mapúa will try to salvage their season and defend their title in their Do or Die quarterfinals against CSB Blazers today, November 28 at the FilOil EcoOil Arena in San Juan City as they try to take one of the last 2 tickets for the NCAA Season 101 Final Four.
