Cards eye crown; SBC 92nd NC host

After crashing into the Final Four last year, the Mapua Cardinals aim for no less than the championship when the 92nd season of the National Collegiate Athletics Association fires off June 25.

Coach Atoy Co has been whipping the squad to reach top form before the event with the team taking part in several exhibition games in Taiwan recently and competing in the ongoing FilOil Flying V pre-season tournament.

According to CJ Isit, one of the key players of the Cardinals, the team will be gunning for the championship, making sure that they will perform well on and off the court.

“We are embracing the challenge to step up our game. The team has definitely been given a bigger opportunity,” Isit said. He added that he sees the Cardinals becoming more cohesive come Season 92.

Meanwhile, Mapúa handed over to San Beda College the hosting of the upcoming season through a ceremonial flag turnover recently.

Melchor Divina, former NCAA Management Committee chair and head of Mapúa’s athletics department, said aside from hosting a successful season, Mapua broke into Final Four of the seniors’ basketball tournament and captured the first championship trophy for beach volleyball.

Meanwhile, Mapúa president and chief executive officer Dr. Reynaldo Vea congratulated the 10 schools who participated in the games for the success of the previous season, adding that the NCAA continues to get stronger through the years.

“The NCAA continues to be innovative. We increased from eight to 10 members, which is quite a bold move for NCAA to improve the league. We are also improving the character of the games and the overall strength of the league,” said Vea.