Mapua’s Clint Escamis celebrates after draining a buzzer-beating triple to beat top team College of St. Benilde in the NCAA Season 100 men’s basketball tournament.–NCAA PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—For months, there’s been one song that’s stuck on repeat for Mapua star Clint Escamis.

Back in May, US NCAA football standout Shendeur Sanders from Colorado University released his hit song “Perfect Timing,” all while playing for the Buffaloes.

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From its release and until now, Escamis has been playing that track not just to hype himself up but also to serve as motivation.

“It was football season in the NCAA and it’s not monitored much but I was interested in what he does. He’s a starting quarterback, a rapper and he made that song and I just liked it,” said Escamis, last season’s rookie-MVP, in an interview with Inquirer Sports.

READ: NCAA: Clint Escamis hits buzzer-beating 3 as Mapua stuns Benilde

‘SOBRANG SPEECHLESS’

Mapua’s Clint Escamis talks about his game-winner over league leader College of St. Benilde.

The Cardinals ended up winning, 75-73, to improve to 13-3. #NCAASeason100 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/b2Z0LiiLqm

— Rommel Fuertes Jr. (@MeloFuertesINQ) November 10, 2024

“His lifestyle’s just different and we just dream of something like that, which is why I love that song. Plus, it goes with my celebration,” added Escamis, pertaining to his signature celebration where he taps his wrist after a basket.

Well, there was no better timing than on Sunday when Escamis beat the buzzer to win it for Mapua against no less than league-leader College of St. Benilde, 75-73, in the NCAA Season 100 men’s basketball tournament.

Escamis ran the length of the floor and launched the game-winning triple from way out to cap the Cardinals’ wild 20-point comeback.

How’s that for perfect timing?

“That was really perfect timing because I couldn’t drive [to the basket], there were defenders there and only a few seconds remained. It was just right because I had momentum and I practiced those in warmups.”

“I just flicked it and it went in.”

In Sanders’ hit song, there’s a lyric that read: “I ain’t even hit my peak, I ain’t tryin.’”

READ: NCAA: Clint Escamis owns up to Mapua loss vs San Beda

While the whole song in general relates to Escamis, it’s that one line that truly resonates with him on a deeper level.

Despite his stellar string of games, Escamis isn’t even thinking about a second straight MVP plum. At this point, he isn’t trying.

All he wants to compete for is to bring Mapua the title and finally end a 33-year drought that he and the Cardinals almost broke last season.

“For me, if I accomplish that, it’s almost nothing. My goal right now is the championship.”

“No amount of awards can atone for a 33-year history. Awards are nothing to me now because I went through it already. I lost the championship and we were all sad, I was the only one who was kind of happy because of the MVP.”