Article by: Albert L. Dela Cruz Jr.
Graphics by: Ma. Alyssa Therese S. Manalang
Coursing their flights to make their red and golden marks, the Mapúa University (MU) Cardinals squad concluded their National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Season 99 with a championship cup and four silver medals bannering their impressive finish. The season ran from September 24, 2023, to April 30, 2024.
As the NCAA committee sets its sights on kicking off the landmark Season 100, The New Builder looks back and relives the recent achievements of the Mapúan heroes that brought fame and glory to the University.
Seniors’ Basketball
Pre-season pundits had written off the Cards as final four contenders after a disappointing performance in the previous season. On top of that, losing key players such as Adrian Nocum, Jeric Pido, and Arvin Gamboa only amplified the doubts swirling around the team’s prospects.
Still, the red and gold jerseys silenced the skeptics. Led by Clint Escamis, the Cardinal flock soared through the eliminations round with a dominant 15-3 win-loss record, perching atop the tournament as its top seed.
The NCAA Basketball Men’s Tournament was headlined by a historical showdown between the MU Cardinals and the San Beda Red Lions. Over three decades ago, the two teams faced each other in the NCAA Season 67 Finals. In that storied 1991 encounter, Intramuros’ finest etched its name in history as it took home the NCAA Championship. Fast forward to 2023, history echoes as the red and gold jerseys attempted to bring back NCAA glory to the walled city.
Although the Cards ultimately fell short of the San Beda Red Lions in their championship pursuit, their finals appearance alone shattered expectations.
The gutsy Cardinal playmaker Escamis did more than score and dish dimes; he was also a feisty match-up on defense. His exceptional performance earned him a clean sweep of individual honors: Most Valuable Player, Rookie of the Year, spots on both the NCAA Mythical Five and All-Defensive Team, and a place in the Collegiate Press Corps Mythical Five.
Losing in the finals is a tough way to end the season, but it is an impressive way to start an NCAA career. As a rookie, Escamis showed leadership and maturity in his game, showing that the sky is the limit for the star Cardinal in the upcoming centennial campaign.
Despite bidding farewell to Cardinal veterans Warren Bonifacio and Paolo Hernandez, the Cardinals’ nest hasn’t been left bare. The arrival of new talents such as Chris Hubilla, Lawrence Mangubat, along with the recent commitment of Cyril Gonzales, has injected optimism for the Cardinal faithful.
Fresh off their championship run in the 21st ASEAN University Games, the red and gold jerseys are primed to swoop into action in the upcoming Season 100 with talons sharpened and eyes locked on the ultimate prize.
Track and Field
Adversity could not clip the wings of the Cardinal Track and Field team. Despite fielding a thin squad, the Cardinal Tracksters ran through the competition to snatch medals into the Cardinals’ nest as they soared to a first runner-up finish with an impressive 584 points.
Team Captain Ariel Legaspi proved prophetic as the Cardinals stormed their way to the podium, “We are only having 14 strong athletes [...] na maglalaro ngayong season, pero lahat yan mag-ko-contribute.”
The three-day spectacle saw numerous Cardinal Trackstars soar to new heights. National Athlete Leonard Grospe clinched the Most Bemedaled Athlete title after hauling in three golds and two bronzes. His record-breaking 2.05-meter leap in the High Jump event etched his name in NCAA history.
Ritchie Estampador blazed through the 3000-meter steeplechase, setting a new NCAA record with a time of 9 minutes and 12.13 seconds. Also raising the red and gold flag, Aron Rich Cuenca displayed true Mapúan grit after grabbing the gold in the Shot Put event despite an injury in his throwing hand.
As the Cardinals prepare to take flight in the NCAA Season 100, the Track and Field team’s performance serves as a testament to a Mapúan’s fighting spirit. With their blend of record-breaking performances and unwavering determination, the Tracksters have their eyes set reach new heights in the upcoming centennial season.
Lawn Tennis
Lifting the red and gold flag, The MU Lawn Tennis Cardinals made their mark in the Men’s Lawn Tennis Tournament with their final appearance and a silver finish.
The Cardinals first faced off against the defending champions, De La Salle University-College of Saint Benilde Tennis Team. Despite the home squad's valiant efforts, the Cards were forced to a loss on the first day. However, this setback reenergized the Cardinals to get back on the winning track.
Showcasing their resilience and skill, the team quickly rebounded in the subsequent matches. They found their rhythm and form, decisively outplaying the University of Perpetual Help System (UPHSD) DALTA and the San Beda University Lawn Tennis Teams in back-to-back encounters. These victories not only restored confidence but also gained momentum for their winning streak in the tournament.
The Cardinals carved a path to the finals without suffering another defeat. After riding this wave of success to a commanding 5-1 record, the red and gold aces earned the coveted finals spot.
On March 22, in a display of sheer determination and skill, the Cardinals ignited the finals with a stunning performance. They blew away the Blazers in the opening match to avenge their opening day loss and forcing a do-or-die game.
The second day of the finals saw both teams locked in a struggle for victory. The two squads battled point for point, neither willing to concede an inch. The electrifying contest extended into a nail-biting third set, leaving the spectators on the edge of their seats.
Despite ultimately falling short of clinching the title, the Cardinals' exceptional performance flocked admiration from both their opponents and fans alike. The red and gold may not have secured the championship, but their top-tier skills, unwavering focus, and court finesse undoubtedly left an indelible mark on the tournament, cementing their status as a force to be reckoned with in the upcoming season.
Men’s Beach Volleyball
The stellar performance of the Beach Volleyball Men's Team in Season 99 culminated in a first runner-up finish on the sands of Subic Bay, Zambales.
From the get-go, the Cardinals triumphed in the elimination rounds with a dominant run, setting the stage for a climactic showdown in the tournament finale against the formidable UPHSD Altas.
The championship match was a testament to the Cardinals' fighting spirit. Despite facing a team that had proven to be their toughest rival, the red and gold squad refused to back down. They battled fiercely under the scorching sun, matching their opponents in every point ticked. However, the Cardinals narrowly missed the top spot, concluding their beach volleyball campaign with a silver finish.
As they trade their sand socks for indoor shoes, the Cardinals carry with them the lessons, the experiences, and the unbreakable spirit forged under the Subic Bay sun. The transition from sand to hardcourt presents new challenges, but if their beach volleyball campaign is any indication, the Mapúa Men's Volleyball Team is more than ready to face them head-on.
Juniors’ Volleyball
Meanwhile, the Mapúa Junior Spikers clinched the university’s sole championship cup with a Cinderella run in the NCAA Junior’s Division.
The red and gold cruised through most of its opponents in the regular season but was forced to register two losses on their record: one from the top-seed Arellano University (AU) Braves , and another from the six-peat champions UPHSD Junior Altas . Leading up to the finals, the squad knew it would face those two teams again.
First came the UPHSD Junior Altas, the reigning Juniors’ Division champions on the verge of extending their six-peat dynasty. The two volleyball crews fought tooth and nail in the semi-finals. Game one saw a five-setter classic, with the Junior Cardinals coming out on top to force a do-or-die game the next day.
Instilled with confidence from their victory, the Junior Spikers came out guns blazing in game two, shooting down the Juniors Altas’ seven-peat campaign and flatlining them in a decisive four-setter to grab a ticket to the finals.
With momentum on their side, the red and gold jerseys were determined to tick another name off their revenge list. Amidst a sea of AU supporters, the home team showed class and composure against the Braves in their game one encounter,ending the match in a sweeping heartbreak for their opponents as they inched closer to their championship hopes.
In the finals' second game, the Junior Spikers exacted their revenge against AU with a decisive sweep, capturing the championship and etching their names in history.
The champion-sweep victory not only marked the end of a remarkable performance in Season 99 but also solidified the Mapúa Junior Spikers' legacy as a team that overcame the odds and rose to the occasion when it mattered most.
Their journey from underdogs to champions is one of the greatest triumphs in the University's sports history, inspiring future generations of Mapúan athletes to dream big and pursue fame and glory.
The red and gold flag was also bannered and proudly represented in other sports, namely: The Seniors’ (4th place) and Juniors’ Badminton Team (Bronze), the Seniors’ Swimming Team: John Mar Armocilla, Luigi Crisostomo, Matthew Dasig, Elijah Enero (Bronze – 4x50-meter freestyle relay) and Enero (Silver in Seniors’ 50-meter breaststroke, Bronze in 50-meter freestyle), Table Tennis Team (Men’s Division – 4th place) and Raul Mallen (Freshman of the Year), Football Team (4th place and Fairplay Award), Juniors’ Basketball Team (Bronze), Cheerping Cardinals (4th place), Seniors and Juniors’ Chess Team, Women’s Beach Volleyball Team, Soft Tennis, Men’s Volleyball Team, and Women’s Volleyball Team: Alyanna Nicole Ong (Second Best Middle Blocker) Roxie Dela Cruz (Second Best Outside Hitter).
With familiar veterans and new faces, the Cardinals are set to take flight once again as they welcome the centennial year of the NCAA on September 7, 2024.
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