Figures that helped shape the seniors’ basketball program of Mapua University into what it is today came together in a grand reunion held last January 25.
A total of 77 Cardinals — some of whom have become legends and icons in the local cage scene — gathered at the VFarm Garden Resort in Santa Maria, Bulacan as their plan for such an event finally came to fruition.
It was also a celebration of the school’s NCAA Season 100 success, where the present-day batch ended a 33-year title drought in a feat that serves as a perfect gift to an institution celebrating its 100th founding anniversary.
“Very happy and thankful also because this is the first time that we gathered this number, na ganitong karaming Cardinals,” said Victolero.
“Na-timing pa na we’re celebrating our 100 years, na-timing pa na nag-champion pa ‘yung men’s basketball team namin,” he added.
Among those in attendance were PBA great Fortunato ‘Atoy’ Co, who made it a point to attend the get-together despite his busy schedule.
“How are you going to explain na inabutan ko ‘yung 2024-25 na champion pa,’di ba? Kaya I think I’m blessed already,” said the 1971 NCAA Most Valuable Player and one of the 25 Greatest Players of Asia’s pioneering pro league.
Benny Cheng, himself a Mapua legend for nailing the game-winning putback to complete their back-to-back feat in the 1991 NCAA tilt, was there as well.
In fact, the former Barangay Ginebra stalwart gave the opening prayer and shared his time with the school before the others such as Co followed.
“It’s a privilege [to have this] opportunity na nagkasama-sama kami kasi bihira kami magsama eh,” said Cheng. “I’m so blessed to be part of this.”
Joel Banal, who coached the Cardinals in that back-to-back campaign years after playing for the school, caught everyone by surprise as he flew all the way from Spain. He was accompanied by his son Gab, a Mapuan himself.
Also there was current Mapua head coach Randy Alcantara, whose team, led by Clint Escamis, basked in the presence of some of their school’s greats — and, of course, celebrated the championship they gave to the university.
“Sobrang nakakatuwa kasi hearing from legends, the greats of all the past Cardinals, sobrang nakaka-motivate lang din na ganun talaga ‘yung samahan nila, ‘yung brotherhood ng Mapua Cardinals,” the 2023 NCAA MVP said.
“Kasi ako, noong una akala ko, team lang talaga ‘to eh. ‘Di ko alam na may ganito pala,na grabe ‘yung samahan nila,” Escamis furthered.
To cap off the night of celebration, the 15 greatest Cardinals of all time were named and honored, each of them given a plaque of recognition.
A Cardinals panel made up of one representative from the 1970s all the way to the 2000s batches put their heads together in identifying those based on their contributions to Mapua, to Philippine basketball, and individual achievements.
Four-time PBA MVP Alvin Patrimonio and Valerio ‘Amang’ Lopez banner the list together with Co, Cheng, Banal, Escamis, Victolero, and Alcantara.
Completing the 15 are Freddie Hubalde, Enrique ‘Ike’ Liwanag, Charlie Badion, Arturo Trajano, Leo Isaac, Bong Ramos, and Ruben Dela Rosa.
“This is [giving] thanks also sa binigay sa amin ng Mapua,” said Victolero, who owns VFarm. “Kung anuman kami ngayon, ‘yung foundation namin, kung anuman ‘yung narating namin ngayon, part of that is galing sa Mapua.
“That’s why we celebrate, that’s why we give thanks to Mapua kung anuman ‘yung mga nagawa niya sa amin, sa buhay namin,” he added.
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