THE PBA draft or an overseas stint are among the options being considered by former NCAA Rookie-MVP Clint Escamis once his done with the Mapua Cardinals' title-retention campaign in the NCAA Season 101.
The 24-year-old guard admitted deferring turning pro this year in his desire to help his alma mater go for a back-to-back men’s basketball championships in the country’s grand old league.
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But suiting up in Asia’s first ever play-for-pay league or playing in other leagues in neighboring countries are his main options when he’s finally done with his collegiate career.
“Hindi pa ako sure kung ano magiging direction nung career ko after Mapua. Pero I’m entertaining naman lahat ng possible plans ko for the future like the PBA or hopefully overseas,” Escamis shared to SPIN.ph during the Collegiate Press Corps Awards Night at the Discovery Suites in Ortigas.
“Korea sana. Hopefully. Kung ano ang mas maganda para sa career ko.”
Adjudged as the Basketball Player of the Year by the press corps, Escamis was a central figure when the Cardinals ended a long 33-year-old title drought last season by sweeping the College of Saint Benilde Blazers in the best-of-three finals.
He eventually emerged as Finals MVP and Mythical Team member of the NCAA’s historic centennial season.
And so many thought a pro career beckons next for Escamis.
But he opted to play out his final year with the Cardinals as the school eyes a repeat - if ever its first since achieving the feat in 1990 and 91.
One more year for Escamis
“Kaya focus na muna ako dito sa Mapua and NCAA. Hindi ko muna iniisip 'yung next step, gusto ko muna mag-stay sa present situation,” said the 5-foot-11 Escamis, who once donned the University of the East jersey.
He looked back with a big laugh when he recalled how former teammate Warren Bonifacio was the elder statesman at Mapua upon his return to his high school alma mater following a brief stint as a Red Warrior.
“Sabi ko nga grabe ang tanda ko na, kasi nung first year (Season 99) ko, sinasabi ni coach Randy (Alcantara) ito si (Warren) Bonifacio 10 years na sa Mapua and last year niya na ngayon,” Escamis said of Bonifacio, who was a high school teammate when they won two NCAA juniors championships together.
“Tapos ngayon two years forward, ako na yung pinakamatagal sa Mapua, so ako na yung pinaka-kuya,” Escamis added. “So nakakatuwa din and nakakalungkot kasi siyempre aalis ka na sa matagal mo nang pinaglaruan.”
Eventually, he has to face the inevitable.
“Pero siyempre we have to move forward, kailangan ko rin mag-pro,” Escamis said. “Hindi pa ako sure kung ano magiging direction nung career ko after Mapua. Pag-uusapan pa namin ng family ko and lahat ng trusted na advisers ko yan.”
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