Mapúa Cardinals basketball

Philippines college basketball team

Mapúa Cardinals

|  | 2024 Mapúa Cardinals basketball team

|

University| Mapúa University
Founded| 1930; 95 years ago (1930)
History|

* MIT Cardinals (until 2017)
* MU Cardinals (since 2017)

Head coach| Randy Alcantara (5th season)
Location| Intramuros, Manila
Nickname| Cardinals
Colors| Red, Gold, and Black

NCAA Champion
1949, 1965, 1981, 1990, 1991, 2024

The Mapúa Cardinals basketball program represents Mapúa University (MU) in men's basketball as a member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (Philippines) (NCAA). The Mapúa Cardinals are one of the three NCAA seniors' basketball teams in Intramuros.

## History

[edit]

Originally as the Mapúa Institute of Technology (MIT), the Cardinals are named after the Major League Baseball team St. Louis Cardinals. The Cardinals have won six NCAA titles, the first in 1949, and the latest in 2024. Atoy Co won the NCAA MVP award in 1971, and would later coach the team in the 21st century. Freddie Hubalde won the NCAA MVP award in 1973, and will be team mate of Co in the grand-slam winning 1983 Crispa Redmanizers team. Alvin Patrimonio then played for the Cardinals from 1983 to 1986, becoming NCAA MVP in his final two seasons with MIT.[1]

In 1981, the Cardinals won their third title lead by Leo Isaac who was voted MVP for the 1981 NCAA Men's Basketball Championship.

In 1990 the Cardinals coached by Joel Banal won their fourth championship, their first since 1981, beating the San Sebastian Stags. The team was lead by Kevin Ramas, Benny Cheng and Randy Alcantara.

In 1991, the Cardinals won their first and only back to back titles off a go-ahead shot by Benny Cheng against the San Beda Red Lions.[2]

### Final Four era

[edit]

In 2001, Mapua qualified to its first playoff appearance in the Final Four era. They took the eventual champions San Sebastian Stags to a second game before being eliminated.[3] Two years later, they were eliminated in the semifinals against Letran.[4] Starting in 2005, Kelvin dela Peña led the Cardinals to four straight semifinals appearances, losing to defending champions PCU in 2005[5] and to San Beda in the next three years. Dela Peña was named Rookie of the Year in 2005, and Most Valuable Player (MVP) in 2007.[6]

The Cardinals would not make it to the playoffs until 2015 when Nigerian Allwell Oraeme led them to the semifinals. Named Rookie of the Year, MVP, and three other awards, he and coach Atoy Co ended two seasons of being in last place to qualify to the semifinals,[7] where they were beaten by Letran.[8] Oraeme had another banner year in 2016, winning the MVP award and Defensive Player of the Year.[9] The Cardinals lost to the Arellano Chiefs in the semifinals.[10] Preparing for the 2017 season, Co revealed that Oraeme left school, saying he was not happy at Mapua and intends to go back to Nigeria.[11] The Cardinals finished outside the playoff places in the next two seasons, and Mapua let go Co after the 2018 campaign.[12]

Randy Alcantara, coach of the successful Malayan Red Robins (their high school team), was then named coach of the seniors team.[13] In the 2021 season (held in early 2022), the Cardinals qualified to its first Finals appearance since 1995.[14] They lost to the defending champions Letran Knights.[15] In the next season, Mapua won its first game vs. San Beda,[16] which was then reversed due to an ineligible player.[17] The Cardinals then lost seven consecutive games.[18] Mapua did not qualify to the playoffs.[19] On the next season, Mapua clinched its first #1 seed in school history, returning to the playoffs.[20] However, the Cardinals were upset by the San Beda Red Lions in the finals.[21]

The following year 2024, the Cardinals won their sixth championship, their first in 33 years beating the Benilde Blazers in a 2 game sweep of the finals. Clint Escamis was named the Finals MVP.[22]

## Current roster

[edit]

NCAA Season 100

Mapúa Cardinals roster

Players | Coaches
| Pos. | No. | Nat. | Name  | Height  | Year  | High School

|
|
|
|
|
|

G | 0  |  | Escamis, Clint  | 5'11" (1.8m)  | 4th  | Malayan High School of Science
PF | 1  |  | Igliane, Marc Andrei  | 6'4" (1.93m)  | 3rd  | Colegio of San Benildo-Rizal
SF | 2  |  | Agemenyi, Noel  | 6'2" (1.88m)  | 1st  | Mapua High School
PG | 3  |  | Abdullah, TJ  | 5'10" (1.78m)  | 3rd  | Adamson University
SF | 5  |  | Recto, John Christopher  | 6'5" (1.96m)  | 2nd  | Arellano University
PG | 6  |  | Garcia, Joaqui  | 5'10" (1.78m)  | 4th  | Mapua High School
PF | 7  |  | Jabonete, John  | 6'5" (1.96m)  | 3rd  | Cebu Institute of Technology
SG | 10  |  | Cuenco, Marc Cyrus  | 6'0" (1.83m)  | 3rd  | Arellano University
PF | 11  |  | Fermin, Aaron  | 6'5" (1.96m)  | 4th  | Arellano University
PG | 12  |  | Mangubat, Lawrence  | 5'10" (1.78m)  | 1st  | Mapua High School
PG | 18  |  | Bancale, Jeco  | 5'10" (1.78m)  | 2nd  | Cebu Institute of Technology
SG | 21  |  | Pantaleon, Arjay  | 6'1" (1.85m)  | 1st  | Univeristy of Santo Tomas
SF | 34  |  | Concepcion, Yam  | 6'3" (1.91m)  | 2nd  | Philippine Christian University
PF | 35  |  | Ryan, Edward  | 6'5" (1.96m)  | 1st  | [[]]
SF | 72  |  | Hubilla, Chris  | 6'3" (1.91m)  | 1st  | San Beda University
C | 24  |  | Reyno, Brix  | 6'7" (2.01m)  | 1st  | University of Santo Tomas
PF | 31  |  | Pabilona, Joshua  | 6'5" (1.96m)  | 1st  | Arandia College
C | 91  |  | Fornis, Resty  | 6'6" (1.98m)  | 4th  | La Finn's Scholastica

Head coach

*   * Randy Alcantara

Assistant coach(es)

*   * Yong Garcia
*   * Nani Epondulan
*   * Joselito Aguilar
*   * Marionne Josef Baleno

Team manager

*   * Aurelio Gonzales Jr.

* * *

Legend

* (C) Team captain
* Injured

* * *

* Roster

Updated: 2024-7-2

## Rivalries

[edit]

Mapua plays the Battle of Intramuros, so named after the Manila district, with the Letran Knights and the Lyceum Pirates.[23]

## Head coaches

[edit]

* Until 1948: Ignacio Sevilla
* Since 1949: Johnny Schlobohm
* Until 1978: Valerio Lopez[24]
* 1978–1982: Carlos Badion
* 1983–1984: De Jesus
* 1985–1987: Art Trajano
* 1987–1997: Joel Banal[24]
* 1997–1998: Bong Ramos
* 1999: Horacio Lim[25]
* 2000–2001: Nic Jorge[25]
* 2002–2006: Horacio Lim
* 2007–2008: Leo Isaac[26]
* 2009–2012: Chito Victolero[27]
* 2012–2018: Atoy Co[12]
* 2019–present: Randy Alcantara[13]

## Season-by-season records

[edit]

Season  | League  | Elimination round  | Playoffs

|
|
|

Pos  | GP  | W  | L  | PCT  | GB  | GP  | W  | L  | Results
1999  | NCAA | 6th/8  | 14  | 6  | 8  | .429  | 3  | Did not qualify
2000 | NCAA | 5th/8  | 14  | 5  | 9  | .357  | 6  | Did not qualify
2001 | NCAA | 3rd/8  | 14  | 9  | 5  | .643  | 2  | 2  | 1  | 1  | Lost semifinals vs San Sebastian
2002 | NCAA | 5th/8  | 14  | 7  | 7  | .500  | 4  | Did not qualify
2003 | NCAA | 4th/8  | 14  | 7  | 7  | .500  | 2  | 1  | 0  | 1  | Lost semifinals vs Letran
2004 | NCAA | 5th/8  | 14  | 7  | 7  | .500  | 3  | 1  | 0  | 1  | Lost 4th seed playoff vs San Beda
2005 | NCAA | 3rd/8  | 14  | 9  | 5  | .643  | 4  | 1  | 0  | 1  | Lost semifinals vs PCU
2006 | NCAA | 4th/8  | 14  | 7  | 7  | .500  | 6  | 1  | 0  | 1  | Lost semifinals vs San Beda
2007 | NCAA | 4th/7  | 12  | 6  | 6  | .500  | 5  | 1  | 0  | 1  | Lost semifinals vs San Beda
2008 | NCAA | 4th/8  | 14  | 9  | 5  | .643  | 2  | 4  | 2  | 2  | Lost semifinals vs San Beda
2009 | NCAA | 7th/10  | 18  | 6  | 12  | .333  | 10  | Did not qualify
2010 | NCAA | 4th/9  | 16  | 9  | 7  | .563  | 7  | 1  | 0  | 1  | Lost stepladder round 1 vs JRU
2011 | NCAA | 5th/10  | 18  | 7  | 11  | .389  | 9  | Did not qualify
2012 | NCAA | 6th/10  | 18  | 8  | 10  | .444  | 7  | Did not qualify
2013 | NCAA | 10th/10  | 18  | 2  | 16  | .111  | 13  | Did not qualify
2014 | NCAA | 10th/10  | 18  | 4  | 14  | .222  | 9  | Did not qualify
2015 | NCAA | 3rd/10  | 18  | 12  | 6  | .667  | 1  | 3  | 2  | 1  | Lost semifinals vs Letran
2016 | NCAA | 3rd/10  | 18  | 12  | 6  | .667  | 2  | 1  | 0  | 1  | Lost semifinals vs Arellano
2017 | NCAA | 10th/10  | 18  | 3  | 15  | .167  | 15  | Did not qualify
2018 | NCAA | 7th/10  | 18  | 6  | 12  | .333  | 11  | Did not qualify
2019 | NCAA | 6th/10  | 18  | 9  | 9  | .500  | 9  | Did not qualify
2020[a] | NCAA | Season canceled
2021[b] | NCAA | 2nd/10  | 9  | 7  | 2  | .778  | 2  | 4  | 1  | 3  | Lost Finals vs Letran
2022 | NCAA | 6th/10  | 18  | 7  | 11  | .389  | 7  | Did not qualify
2023 | NCAA | 1st/10  | 18  | 15  | 3  | .833  | —  | 4  | 2  | 2  | Lost Finals vs San Beda
2024 | NCAA | 1st/10  | 18  | 15  | 3  | .833  | —  | 3  | 3  | 0  | Won Finals vs Benilde

1. ^ Season cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
2. ^ Season postponed to early 2022 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Mapua Cardinals: Going beyond the walls of Intramuros | NCAA Philippines". www.gmanetwork.com. Retrieved 2022-10-01.
2. ^ "V-Day again for MIT Cards". Manila Standard.
3. ^ Navarro, June (September 23, 2001). "Bombers, Stags forge final duel". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved April 4, 2001.
4. ^ Rondez, Bobby (September 11, 2003). "Knights, Stags arrange NCAA finals showdown". The Manila Times. Archived from the original on March 4, 2004. Retrieved April 2, 2021.
5. ^ Menor, Dominic (2005-09-09). "Letran, PCU set showdown". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved 2010-10-10.
6. ^ "How a transfer from Canada to the Philippines paid off for Mapua MVP Kelvin dela Peña | NCAA Philippines". www.gmanetwork.com. Retrieved 2022-10-06.
7. ^ "Chot Reyes fined P50,000, Jolas P20,000 for post-game incident". Spin.ph. Retrieved 2022-10-06.
8. ^ "Mark Cruz stands tall as Letran Knights turn back Mapua Cardinals to reach NCAA Season 91 Finals". Spin.ph. Retrieved 2022-10-06.
9. ^ "Mapua's Allwell Oraeme bags back-to-back NCAA MVP award". RAPPLER. 2016-10-11. Retrieved 2022-10-06.
10. ^ "Arellano eliminates Mapua, advances to NCAA Finals". RAPPLER. 2016-09-30. Retrieved 2022-10-06.
11. ^ Leongson, Randolph B. (2017-04-25). "Atoy Co left fuming as Oraeme leaves Mapua". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved 2022-10-06.
12. ^ a b Riego, Norman Lee Benjamin (2019-11-19). "NCAA: Mapua moving on from head coach Atoy Co". Retrieved 2022-10-07.
13. ^ a b "Red Robins coach Randy Alcantara gets fitting send-off to Cardinals". Tiebreaker Times. 2018-11-15. Retrieved 2022-10-06.
14. ^ "Mapua eliminates San Beda, reaches NCAA Finals for first time in 27 years | NCAA Philippines". www.gmanetwork.com. Retrieved 2022-10-01.
15. ^ "Letran drubs Mapua, completes NCAA season sweep with back-to-back titles". RAPPLER. 2022-05-22. Retrieved 2022-10-01.
16. ^ "Mapua makes early statement, snaps San Beda's opening-day win streak". Spin.ph. Retrieved 2023-10-01.
17. ^ "NCAA forfeits Mapua's opening win vs San Beda, slaps ineligible player with lifetime ban". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved 2023-10-01.
18. ^ "NCAA: Mapua outlasts EAC for first win of Season 98". 2022-10-08. Retrieved 2023-10-02.
19. ^ Jr, Rommel Fuertes (2022-11-23). "NCAA: Mapua bests San Sebastian to conclude Season 98 stint". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved 2023-10-01.
20. ^ "Former Mapua juniors star Will Gozum stands in way of Cardinals' title bid". Spin.ph. Retrieved 2023-11-24.
21. ^ Navarro, June (2023-12-17). "San Beda beats Mapua to reclaim NCAA basketball championship". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved 2023-12-25.
22. ^ Navarro, June (December 8, 2024). "Redemption tour complete for Escamis, Mapua". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved December 9, 2024.
23. ^ "Mapua sets up 'Battle of Intramuros' vs Letran in return to finals after 31 years". Manila Bulletin. 2022-05-11. Retrieved 2022-10-07.
24. ^ a b "These NCAA coaches cultivated breeding ground of future PBA stars". Spin.ph. Retrieved 2022-10-07.
25. ^ a b Eroa, Dennis U. (2000-03-26). "Jorge new Mapua coach". Google News Archive. Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved 2023-11-24.
26. ^ "Cardinals steamroll Great Danes, notch first win". ABS-CBN News. 2009-07-10.
27. ^ "Time to step down after three title-less years, says Mapua's Victolero". Spin.ph. Retrieved 2022-10-07.

* v
* t
* e

National Collegiate Athletic Association basketball tournaments

* Champions
* Men's final four
* results

Teams|

* Arellano Chiefs
* Letran Knights
* Benilde Blazers
* EAC Generals
* JRU Heavy Bombers
* Lyceum Pirates
* Mapúa Cardinals
* San Beda Red Lions
* San Sebastian Stags
* Perpetual Altas

Seasons|

| Pre-war era|

* 1924
* 1925
* 1926
* 1927
* 1928
* 1929
* 1930
* 1931
* 1932
* 1933
* 1934
* 1935
* 1936
* 1937
* 1938
* 1939
* 1940
* 1941

|

Pennant era|

* 1947
* 1948
* 1949
* 1950
* 1951
* 1952
* 1953
* 1954
* 1955
* 1956
* 1957
* 1958
* 1959
* 1960
* 1961
* 1962
* 1963
* 1964
* 1965
* 1966
* 1967
* 1968
* 1969
* 1970
* 1971
* 1972
* 1973
* 1974
* 1975
* 1976
* 1977
* 1978
* 1979
* 1980
* 1981
* 1982
* 1983

Best-of-3 finals era|

* 1984
* 1985
* 1986
* 1987
* 1988
* 1989
* 1990
* 1991
* 1992
* 1993
* 1994
* 1995
* 1996

Final four era|

* 1997
* 1998
* 1999
* 2000
* 2001
* 2002
* 2003
* 2004
* 2005
* 2006
* 2007
* 2008
* 2009
* 2010
* 2011
* 2012
* 2013
* 2014
* 2015
* 2016
* 2017
* 2018
* 2019
* 2020
* 2021*
* 2022–23
* 2023–24
* 2024–25

Rivalries|

* Arellano vs. San Beda
* Battle of Intramuros
* Letran vs. San Beda
* Letran vs. San Sebastian
* San Beda vs. San Sebastian
* San Beda vs. Perpetual
* San Sebastian vs. JRU

*Played in early 2022
*[Pos.]: Position(s)
*[No.]: Jersey number
*[Nat.]: Nationality
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*[t]: Discuss this template
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