Opinion: What Now Mapua Cardinals?

by Cristian Andal

Mapua Cardinals main man Paolo Hernandez. Photo credit: NCAA, GMA

After finishing runner-up to Letran last season, the Mapua Cardinals entered Season 98 of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament with high hopes and expectations.

This was supposed to be the year the Cardinals would win it all as they came back with virtually the same roster they had last season. Reigning Most Improved Player Paolo Hernandez is back and big man Warren Bonifacio continues to be a force in the middle. 

They started out strong, beating San Beda in their season-opener, 66-55. 

Mapua Cardinals center Warren Bonifacio (#4). Photo credit: NCAA, GMA

However, Mapua lost six straight games after that. To add salt to the wound, the Cards had their only win forfeited one month later because of an ineligible player case. 

On Saturday, the NCAA ManCom released a memo saying that after investigation, the committee found out guard Gab Gamboa is also enrolled in another school. NCAA commissioner Tonichi Pujante banned Gamboa for life as a result.

Right now, the Cardinals' record stood at 0-7. Surprisingly, they are at the cellar of the tournament.

Although it's only the first round, saying that Mapua had underachieved this season would be an understatement.

One can't say it was the coaches or the players fault, though. Or a lack of desire or intensity inside the hard court perhaps. 

It seems like it's just the breaks of the game. In short, the Cards are not getting any.

All of their games were actually close ones, including the 64-59 loss to the Arellano Chiefs on Sunday. 

The Cards were down by only two points late in the fourth period, 56-54, but they can't seem to get a basket in the clutch moments. 

FINAL: The Mapúa Cardinals chased down the lead in the fourth frame, showing no sign of backing down against the Arellano University Chiefs as they focused on stronger offensive plays. pic.twitter.com/FOqnBdcABl

— The New Builder (@MapuaTNB) October 2, 2022

Shooting has been a consistent problem for Mapua this season, as they shot only 9-of-41 field goal attempts against Arellano. Needless to say, you cannot win shooting like that.

It's still not too late for head coach Randy Alcantara's squad as they still have three games left before the second round of competitions begin. However, they need to improve their offense as soon as possible for them to turn things around and go back to the Final Four this year.

Will they be able do it? Only time will tell.