MAPUA University coach Randy Alcantara knew there was something miraculous in the Mapua Cardinals’ road back to NCAA glory.
It began in an operation room in a hospital in Manila where he was about to undergo a neck and spine operation that had bothered him during the crucial stages of last year’s NCAA finals where they eventually lost to the San Beda Lions.
He was already entertaining thoughts of not coaching again if things go wrong.
But as fate would have it, the surgery was successful and he was given a chance to do what he loves best—coaching.
“Nagpapasalamat ako Diyos sa pagbibigay sa akin ng isa pang pagkakataon para mag coach ulit,” teary-eyed Alcantara said moments after Mapua smashed College of St. Benilde 94-82 to sweep the title series and snare the NCAA senior basketball championship that ended their long 33-year wait.
The same injury that left him helpless in the finals a season ago.
“Maraming hindi nakak alam na kaya ako hindi masyadong naka coach nung finals last year dahil ang taas ng blood pressure ko dahil sa spine ko,” said Alcantara. “Minabuti ko na lang umalis sa bench para hindi madismaya at ma-distract ang players.”
Minus Alcantara’s wisdom, Mapua eventually lost the series and its chance at ending the title drought.
And then he went under the knife and successfully got rid of the problem that hobbled him in that fateful championship defeat.
