A DIFFERENT MAPÚA
Mapúa secured the number one spot after defeating the University of Perpetual Help System DALTA (UPHSD) Altas in the semifinals at the Filoil EcoOil Arena on November 15, 2023.
With a 15-3 record and a twice-to-beat bonus heading into the Final Four, it seemed like the Cardinals were about to end their 32-year title drought. They have the right players—Escamis led the league, averaging 16.28 points per game, with team captain Warren Bonifacio, Jopet Soriano, and Paolo Hernandez being equally competent shooters.
Even though Soriano and Bonifacio are graduating in Season 100 and Hernandez is unsure if he will still suit up for the Cardinals, Mapúa is still in good hands. Rookies and freshmen like Recto, Dalisay, Peter Rosillo, Marc Cuenco, and Jeco Bancale offer so much potential for the Intramuros-based squad.
Mapúa is widely recognized as a formidable competitor. That’s why the Red Lions improved their outside shooting to keep up with the Cardinals. Andrada has shot 300 to 400 threes every day since January and a lot more during team practice. His combined performance with the other Red Lions made them the best three-point shooting team in Season 99, sinking 33.35 percent of all baskets taken.
With most teams being together for three to four years, De La Salle College of St. Benilde Blazers (DLS-CSB) coach Charles Tiu says there has been a lot of improvement in season 99. “It’s competitive,” with upsets and surprises from the teams. Other NCAA teams are the Jose Rizal University (JRU) Heavy Bombers, Emilio Aguinaldo College (EAC) Generals, San Sebastian College-Recoletos (SSC-R) Golden Stags, Colegio de San Juan de Letran (CSJL) Knights, and Arellano University (AU) Chiefs.
NOT JUST BASKETBALL
Hosted by JRU, Season 99’s spotlight may have been trained more on basketball, but there are other sports such as volleyball, beach volleyball, swimming, chess, and taekwondo. Badminton and table tennis return for Season 99, along with special grassroots events like kiddie and 3x3 basketball. Cheerleading and other athletics also draw crowds.
During the launch of Season 99 at the Mall of Asia (MOA) Arena in Pasay, NCAA and JRU President Dr. Vincent Fabella said the NCAA is true to its tagline, “New Heroes of the Game,” fully committed to student athletics and sports. “We will continue championing new heroes to carry the legacy of the NCAA,” Fabella said. “We want to make the NCAA better every year, and this year, our 99th season, can only be a precursor to the excellence we expect to show all of you in our 100th year."