MANILA, Philippines—Mapua fell wanting capturing the NCAA Season 99 championship however the future is shiny for the Intramuros-based squad.
After proving their mettle this 12 months, the Cardinals sat atop the league for almost all of the season earlier than in the end bowing down in crucial sequence of the event towards San Beda Crimson Lions.
So when graduating guard Warren Bonifacio was requested about his ideas on the squad’s future, he had nothing however excessive hopes for the Crimson and Yellow squad.
“Regardless of the loss, I’m nonetheless happy with my squad as a result of they gave their finest. We simply got here up brief within the fourth quarter however I’m nonetheless very proud,” mentioned Bonifacio after their 76-66 loss in Sport 3 of the NCAA Finals final December 17.
“Everybody who’s left right here has enormous potential and we even have recruits coming in. I advised them to deal with their (San Beda) happiness as motivation as a result of they didn’t get the title… They nonetheless lack some issues, there are nonetheless some issues to enhance on for the following NCAA however with Clint Escamis, Peter (Ryle) Rosillo, JC Recto and the others, the longer term is shiny for Mapua.”
With Bonifacio struggling on offense with simply 4 factors and 7 rebounds, the younger weapons stepped as much as the plate to present the eventual champions a run for his or her cash.
Rosillo, who was initially set to be the Freshman of the Yr however was disqualified on account of a suspension within the elimination spherical, completed with 10 factors and three rebounds. Recto, in the meantime, led the Cardinals in factors with a double-double of 18 factors and 14 boards.
Paolo Hernandez, then again, additionally struggled in Sport 3 with six factors, sinking solely two of his 12 tries from the sphere.
The capturing guard, who nonetheless has a 12 months left in his collegiate run, counseled the younger cats for choosing up the slack. He additionally mentioned this Finals run could be a studying expertise for the rookies.
“No one mentioned we’d get right here. Even within the predictions, we’re not anticipated so I’m very happy with this group, the rookies and sophomores. I’m so happy with the children that we acquired to achieve the final sport of the NCAA,” mentioned Hernandez.
“I’m very happy with these youngsters, this can be a studying expertise for us. This’ll be a really robust group subsequent season, we’ll see what occurs,” he added.
‘RUN IT BACK’
Whereas the Crimson Lions are holding their breath on the uncertainty of Jacob Cortez staying for the Season 99 champions, the Cardinals have the posh of league MVP Escamis, who’s staying put with Mapua.
The previous College of the East swingman shut down the rumors of getting presents from different colleges and warranted Mapua that he’s staying put for 2 extra years.
Together with his residency comes the accountability of being the undisputed chief for coach Randy Alcantara now that Bonifacio exhausted all his years of eligibility.
“With our key gamers gone like Bonifacio, who was captain and been with Mapura for 10 years, I have to step up and be extra mature,” mentioned Escamis after ending with 13 factors, 5 rebounds and 4 assists.
If there’s any extra indication that the Cardinals look to maintain their aggressive hearth burning for Season 100, Escamis said that they are going to “run it again” and double the work they achieved in Season 99.
“For certain, we’ll run it again. [Whether it’s] finals, championship, we’ll do all these, I promise. No matter we do that season, we’ll double it.”
Supply: sports activities.inquirer.web