Mapúa University has secured three solid additions to bolster its title defense in NCAA Season 101 and beyond.
Letran standouts Basti Reyes and Daniel Padilla, along with Perpetual Help’s crafty floor general Icee Callangan, have committed to suit up for the Cardinals.
Reyes, a 6-foot-5 big man, is a product of Goldwin Monteverde and Tom Chua from their time at National University Nazareth School.
He was also a member of the Gilas Boys squad that competed in the FIBA U16 Asian Championship in 2022. However, during his senior year with Letran, he only saw action in three games due to a hyperextended knee.
“First of all po, si Coach Randy (Alcantara) po talaga yung pinakaunang nag-reach out sa amin ng family ko. Kahit na galing po ako sa injury, naniniwala pa rin po sila sa akin na makakatulong ako sa team. Malaking bagay din po siguro yung mga kuya namin kasi halos lahat sila hardworking, kaya sigurado akong maa-adopt ko rin yung mindset nila,” said Reyes.
“And lastly po, siguro kaya hindi na rin ako nahirapan mag-decide kasi kasama ko pa rin si Pads (Daniel Padilla). Since Passerelle days, teammates na kami, kaya hindi rin ganon kahirap yung magiging adjustment ko sa Mapúa.”
Padilla, meanwhile, is a 6-foot-1 scoring guard who led the Squires in points last season, averaging 16.0 points per game, along with 4.33 rebounds, 1.33 assists, and 2.25 steals.
“Magandang school po talaga ang Mapúa. Sa tingin ko, mag-iimprove ako dito lalo na sa training, kasi andyan naman yung mga players na nilolook up ko — like sina Clint (Escamis) at Cyril (Gonzales),” said Padilla, who will sit out Season 101 to complete his Grade 12 requirements.
Then there’s Callangan, a heady playmaker who posted averages of 7.23 points, 4.0 rebounds, 6.23 assists, and 1.08 steals during his stint with Perpetual Help. He admitted that it was a difficult decision to transfer, but ultimately chose Mapúa for the opportunity to grow alongside Escamis.
“Para naman po sa reason kung bakit ko pinili ang Mapúa — first of all po, alam ko pong maganda ang program nila, lalo na’t champion team po sila. Isa pa pong main reason is dahil kulang po sila sa point guard, kaya me and my family decided na mag-commit po kami sa Mapúa,” said Callangan, who is currently part of the Cardinals’ Filoil lineup.
Reyes and Callangan both expressed their commitment to helping Mapúa retain its championship in the upcoming season.
“For me po as a rookie, siguro ang pinaka-goal ko lang ay magawa nang maayos yung role na ibibigay sa akin nila Coach — para maka-contribute sa team at para makuha ulit namin yung championship,” said Reyes.
“Personal goals ko po siyempre ay mas mag-improve at mas gumaling pa bilang point guard. Kailangan ko rin pong mabilis mag-adjust kasi siyempre, iba na ang sistema at environment. So kailangan ko lang pong maging focused at makinig sa mga tinuturo ng coaches at teammates para mas mag-improve pa at mas mag-gel kami as a team. Para sa darating na Season 101, ready na po ako,” added Callangan.
Padilla, for his part, has his eyes set on making an impact starting Season 102.
“Mag-champion. Mahirap man po, pero pagtatrabahuhan namin,” he said.
