[Editor's note: Below is the first part of our 10-part preview on the coming NCAA season]
Mapua Cardinals
Last Season: 10th Place (3-15)
Key Holdovers: Christian Bunag, Laurenz Victoria
Departures: Andoy Estrella, Leo Gabo, Almel Orquina
Returnees: Exe Biteng
Newcomers: Warren Bonifacio, Jasper Salenga
Head Coach: Atoy Co (6th season)
TO say that Mapua stuggled to find its identity following the departure of two-time MVP Allwell Oraeme is a huge understatement.
Following back-to-back semifinal appearances, the Cardinals plummeted to the bottom of the pack with a 3-15 record last season, one of the worst seasons in the school's proud history.
Now with Oraeme still nowhere in sight, the Cardinals, from head coach Fortunato 'Atoy' Co down to the players, vowed this team will rely on each other - and not on one man alone - for the coming NCAA season.
"Ang prinsipyo ko, wala akong aasahan sa inyo e. Ang prinsipyo ko aasa ako sa lahat. Dapat lahat mag-perform ngayon," said Mapua head coach Atoy Co.
"Hindi pupuwedeng papasok ko, tapos walang gagawin. Hahanapan ko lahat yan ng performance para lahat gumana," he added.
While Co leaned heavily on his steady backcourt of Hesed Gabo and Andoy Estrella last season, the PBA great is hoping to get production fromacross the board - from his veterans to his newcomers.
Double-double machine Christian Bunag will be leading at the front alongside veteran guards Laurenz Victoria and Exie Biteng. Rookies Warren Bonifacio and Jasper Salenga are also counted upon to make their impact for the Cardinals.
"I hope yung mga beterano, yung mga sophomores and veteran players ko maglaro sila sa amin. I also have a lot of new players that you can’t take for granted. Sa kakapanood natin sa basketball, yun na nabuo sa plano ko. Ang basketball hindi pwedeng asahan ang iisang tao," Co continued.
"Mas marami akong rookie. Mga anim nawala sa akin, sa dalawa dun ininda ko talaga kasi mga veteran yun si Hesed Gabo at Estrella. So hopefully ma-compensate ng papasok. But we will show a different Mapua from last year," he added.
Whatever happens, Co said the Cardinals will be fighing to the end.
"We will be fighting till the end. Ang ano ko sa basketball, may isang mananalo, may isang matatalo. Ang mas madalas mananalo yung well-prepared. Andun yung condition ka, lahat lahat para andun ang ingredients. Yun ang ginagawa ko ngayon," said Co.
"Ang sunod dun kung sino ang mas pursigido, na hindi ka bumibigay. Yun ang iniinculcate ko sa mga players ko. Pwede tayong matalo basta hindi masamang tignan."
A return to the Final Four would be nice, but Co said he'll be happy to see the Cardinals fulfill their full potential, wherever that will take them.
"Kasi pag natalo kang lumalaban up to the end, we did our best. Pag natalo ka na bumigay ka na di na tayo dumedepensa, di lumaban, nagpa-bully sa kalaban, panget yun. Sabi ko nga, tumatanggap ako ng talo sa tamang paraan."
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