BY ABBY TORALBA
NO regrets, only lessons learned.
Despite failing to reach the Big Dance or even the Final Four of the 98th NCAA basketball tournament, Mapua University coach Randy Alcantara insisted his players have a bright future ahead of them.
“Marami-marami kaming natutunan this season,” Alcantara said. “Of course, siyempre, may mga naglagay sa amin sa Final Four, siguro pressure na rin sa amin and sa mga players na nandoon kami sa top four.
“Pero ang sabi ko nga magagaling lahat iyong teams, iyong lineups this season kaya again dikit-dikit iyong standings plus iyong sa Final Four talagang huli na nagkaalaman kung sino talaga pero iyon talagang in fairness lahat malalakas,” he added.
The Cardinals wound up as bridesmaid to reigning two-time champion Letran last season and were seen as a worthy challenger to dethrone the Knights this year, only to fail to live up to expectations.
It took eight straight losses before Mapua notched a breakthrough triumph and despite a mid-season surge, the Cards failed to crack the Last Four with a 7-11 mark.
