MAPUA may have already moved on from the Clint Escamis era, but the former Cardinals star is more than happy to watch the program he helped build continue to thrive.
This time, Escamis is no longer the one leading Mapua on the floor.
He is now watching from afar, supporting his former teammates and keeping an ete on a new breed of Cardinals led by the likes of rookie Jamal Diaz.
And after watching Diaz play several games, the former champion has already seen something familiar in the youngster.
Not necessarily in the skills, but in the confidence.
“Makapal talaga yung mukha, Kailangan talaga especially sa 4th quarter pakapalan na ng mukha and that’s what coach Chito [Victolero] said,” Escamis told SPIN.ph.
Diaz had already drawn comparisons to Escamis, earning the “next Escamis” tag after making an immediate impact in Intramuros.
But the season 99 MVP believes the rookie still has plenty of room to grow, particularly when it comes to his overall skill set.
What has stood out to him, however, is something that cannot easily be taught - Diaz’s confidence when the game is on the line.
“Yung skills-wise, pwede pa mag-work on nila,” the Quezon Huskers guard said.
“Pero yung confidence sa fourth quarter, especially for a rookie, sobrang iba.”
Escamis said he notice that confidence as early as Mapua’s first game against Jose RIzal University, with Diaz showing no fear despite being a rookie.
Even the celebrations after big plays, according to Escamis, are part of what makes Diaz embrace the moment.
“Kasama ’yun sa game,” he said after seeing Diaz received criticisms after the loss.
For someone who knows exactly what it takes to carry the Cardinals, Escamis is not putting a ceiling on what Diaz can become.
Asked if Diaz can eventually surpass what he accomplished at Mapua, Escamis kept his answer simple.
“Oo naman lahat kaya niyang higitan sa akin. I’m in the past, he’s the future.”
That belief comes from someone who helped usher Mapua into one of the biggest moments in its recent history.
Escamis led the Cardinals to their first NCAA championship in 33 years in season 100, winning Finals MVP after already claiming the MVP and Rookie of the Year awards the season before.
Now, he gets to watch another rookie try to make his own mark in Intramuros.
And while Diaz has been called the “next Escamis,” the former rookie-MVP would rather see the youngster develop into his own player.
Still, he is more than happy to see the newcomer carry the confidence needed to succeed.
POST-ESCAMIS MAPUA
That same belief extends to the entire Mapua team.
Escamis has remained confident in the Cardinals even after they opened season 102 with an 0-3 record, refusing to view the slow start as a sign that the team was incapable of contending.
“No doubt, no doubt malayo mararating ng team na ’to,” Escamis stressed.
“Never worried ako.”
For the 5-foot-11 Escamis, Mapua’s early losses were more about late-game lapses than a lack of talent.
“Sadyang lapses sa endgame lang eh. So alam natin na kayang-kaya talaga nila,” he said.
The former Cardinals star has also been impressed with how the team has continued to compete despite entering the season without the complete core that brought the school its historic title.
And he believes the program remains in good hands under new head coach Chito Victolero.
The former Caridnal himself was already in the bleachers during Escamis’ championship run, giving the former star confidence that the Cardinals can maintain the system that has been familiar to the program.
“I feel ko, same lang naman yung dadalhin niya sa Mapúa,” Escamis uttered.
“Ever since back then, he was in the backseat of our system. So alam ko naman, maganda ’yung magiging sistema kasi palagi naman ’yun yung system na tatakbo namin ever since.”
The difference now is that Escamis is no longer the one expected to deliver those big plays.
He is now the former Cardinal watching from afar, cheering for the team he once carried.
And for Escamis, there is something fulfilling about finally being on the other side.
“Sobrang saya ako masupport lang yung alma mater ko,” he said.
“Mas ganito pala yung feeling. Iba yung feeling na ’yun, looking for your team kung saan ka nanggaling.”
From the player who helped bring Mapua its historic championship to the former Cardinal now watching the next generation, Escamis has embraced his new role.
And in Diaz, he sees a rookie with the confidence to potentially carry that torch.
Not necessarily as the next Escamis - but as Jamal Diaz.
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