FOR Benny Cheng, the legendary Mapua star, this is the perfect time for the Cardinals to end a long title drought in the NCAA.
Winning the cherished men’s basketball title in Season 100 as Mapua also celebrates its centennial year, indeed would be something extra special.
“Kumbaga 100 for 100. One hundred years ang Mapua, 100 years rin ang NCAA. So hopefully, we can get this crown,” Cheng shared to SPIN.ph.
The Intramuros based school began its 100 days countdown last Oct. 17 for the celebration of its centennial year on January 25, 2025.
A month after, the Cardinals made the journey even memorable when they booked a return trip to the NCAA finals by drubbing host Lyceum of the Philippine Pirates during the Final Four, 89-79.
READ: Mapua, Benilde dispute historic championship in NCAA Season 100
Cheng, 55, was among the throng of Mapua supporters at the Cuneta Astrodome who lustily cheered seeing their team marched to the finals for the third time in the last four seasons.
The Cardinals will play College of St. Benilde Blazers in the best-of-three title series that gets underway on Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
“It’s a privilege to be here. I really enjoyed kapag nakikita ko (silang manalo),” said the former Barangay Ginebra forward. “Nakaka-proud kasi alma mater natin yan.”
The last time Mapua won it all...
Thirty three years ago, Cheng did make Mapua proud when he scored the biggest basket in the waning seconds of the 1991 NCAA finals between the Cardinals and the San Beda Red Lions to become back-to-back champions for the first time ever.
Despite that happening more than three decades ago, Cheng still vividly remembered those precious moments like it was only yesterday.
The late San Beda top gun Boybits Victoria canned two pressure-packed free throws to put the Red Lions in front, 90-89, with 16 seconds to go in the deciding Game 3 of the title series at the ULTRA (now Philsports Arena).
“Grabe yun, we we’re down by one. And nag layup si Taddy (Rizaldy Ramos), tapos nag-miss. Nakuha ko yung (offensive) rebound and ako yung naka-shoot,” Cheng recalled.
San Beda still had five seconds to work on a game-winning play, but Cornelio Manucat’s pass to a streaking Edsel Dionisio was just too strong to handle, leading to a turnover and the championship for Mapua.
“Nag-fumble sila (Red Lions) in their final play kaya nanalo kami,” said Cheng.
“Very memorable yun kasi first time na nag back-to-back (champion) ang Mapua,” he added. “You give it to the school and you give it to the entire Mapua community.”
Incidentally, among Cheng’s teammate with Mapua back then was Randy Alcantara, the current head of the Cardinals.
“Kaya todo suporta ako lalo sa team dahil kasama ko rin si coach Randy dati sa Mapua,” he added.
Cheng, a first round pick of the Purefoods franchise at no. 6 during the 1993 draft, played nine seasons in the PBA and suited up for Purefoods, Ginebra, Sta. Lucia, and Formula Shell.
But it was his stint with Ginebra under legendary coach Sonny Jaworski served as the peak of his pro career, eventually winning a championship with the franchise during the 1997 Commissioner’s Cup, with the likes of Bal David, Marlou Aquino, Noli Locsin, Vince Hizon, Pido Jarencio, Dudut Jaworski, Wilmer Ong, Macky De Joya, Mike Orquillas, Jayvee Gayoso, import Chris King, and the late Terry Saldana and Chris Bolado among his teammates.
He played in a total of 339 games and averaged 3.9 points.
Cheng has long been busy tending the buy and sell furniture business together with his wife, but busy as he may, promises to be at the Big Dome to watch the Cardinals in action during the finals.
“Definitely, manonood ako,” he said.
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