The celebration at Mapúa University after ending a 33-year title drought in the NCAA Seniors Basketball Tournament was reminiscent of its last championship in 1991.
On October 16, 1991, during the 67th season of the league, Randy Alcantara cut down the net at the then-ULTRA after the Cardinals defeated San Beda in a three-game series.
Some 12,106 days later, it was the Cardinals who handed the net to Alcantara.
“Ako yung pumanik sa court nun sa Ultra. Ako yung nagupit,” he shared.
“Nung nakita ako ni Cy (Cuenco), sabi niya, ‘Eto, regalo namin sa‘yo,’ pero hindi ko naman kinekwento sa kanila na ako yung kumuha ng net nung time na yun.”
On the court with him during the celebrations were his 1991 teammates, including Chito Victolero, Chester Lemen, Benny Cheng, Reynold So, Terry Ronquillo, George Baltazar, and Darren Evangelista.
However, Alcantara almost didn’t have the opportunity to celebrate. Last year, he underwent delicate spine surgery that nearly ended his coaching career.
“Last year kasi, nung start ng second round, nakakaramdam na ko na laging tumataas BP ko. Yun na pala yung problema, yung cervical spine ko. From C3 to C7, nagkaipit-ipit na. Kaya lumalabas ako sa court nun kasi ayoko makita nila na hindi ako makapag-instruct sa kanila. Kaya ako pumupunta sa dugout nun,” he disclosed.
“Ang hirap ng dinaanan ko kasi nga cervical, delikado.”
With Alcantara out, it was Yong Garcia and the rest of the Cardinals staff who stepped up. Alcantara remains forever grateful to them.
“Naka-recover naman ako ng unti-unti. Pasalamat talaga ako sa coaches na tinulungan nila ako na maka-recover. Throughout ng preseason, hindi nila pinabayaan yung players,” he expressed.
With their mentor back, the Cardinals were determined not to let him down.
Mapúa ended the elimination round as the top seed with a 15-3 record, including an unbeaten run in the second round. In the semifinals, the Cardinals surged past the Lyceum Pirates, 89-79, to book a Finals showdown with the Benilde Blazers.
The Cardinals were dominant in the Finals, taking Game 1 with an 84-73 victory before closing it out with a 94-82 win.
Finally, after winning the title as a player and leading the Red Robins to the top in previous years, Alcantara had fulfilled his destiny.
“Salamat sa Panginoon na finally nakuha na namin after 33 years. Thank you ulit sa Kanya na pinabalik niya ako dito sa coaching after my operation. Siyempre, walang kasing sarap na after three tries, finally na nakuha na namin,” said Alcantara, wearing the MIT jersey No. 13 during the celebration.
“Hindi ito mangyayari kung wala yung mga coaches at players na talagang nag-work hard this season. Pinakita namin kung paano kagutom yung Mapúa na makuha yung title this season.”
Of course, Alcantara also paid tribute to the coaches who came before him, including his mentor Joel Banal, Bong Ramos, Nic Jorge, Horacio Lim, Leo Isaac, his best friend Victolero, and Atoy Co.
“Tumatakbo na lang na binigay sa akin ito. Hindi sa lahat ng coaches na bibigay yung blessing na player champion tapos coach champion,” he said.
Now, surrounded by his family and friends, Alcantara will celebrate.
“Ganito rin saya namin noong 1991.”
