Mapua is not going to lose sleep over the Cardinals botched bid in Season 99 National Collegiate Athletic Association basketball tournament.
Despite being handed a 76-66 loss by the San Beda University Red Lions on Sunday, the Cardinals insist they will use the runnerup finish as a motivation for Season 100.
Most Valuable Player and Rookie of the Year Clint Escamis told DAILY TRIBUNE that the second-place finish is still impressive given that the squad was not expected to make it to the finals.
“It’s great that we reached the finals and I got these accolades but it’s sad we lost in Game 3. We’re going to use this as motivation for next season,” said Escamis, who fired 13 points and hauled down five rebounds.
“I’m still grateful for the coaches and my teammates for this season.”
Denied for the second straight time, Mapua is simply moving on.
Graduating big man Warren Bonifacio has no regrets, stressing that the team gave their all.
Bonifacio, who scored four points and had seven rebounds in his final game in Mapua, is headed to the Philippine Basketball Association since he had been drafted by Magnolia.
“It was painful we didn’t get our goal. Despite the loss, I’m still proud of the guys and the coaching staff, we just fell short on this one,” Bonifacio said.
“Me and boss Danny Espiritu will be talking about my future this week. I haven’t talked to (Magnolia) coach Chito (Victolero) about it since the last time I brought that up, he told me to focus on the series first.”
Paolo Hernandez, who was held to six points in Game 3, expects Mapua to be stronger for Season 100 after this heartbreak.
“That’s how it is. No one predicted us to be back in the finals so I’m proud of our rookies and sophomores. This will be a learning experience for all of us,” Hernandez said.
“This will be a tough team next season.”
