Mapua University will continue to bank on its offensive firepower as the Cardinals move forward in the NCAA Season 97, with the race for the play-in seats starting to heat up.
At solo third with a 5-2 card, the Cardinals have shown in their last two outings that they can be a threat from the outside, knocking down 16 triples against Perpetual last week while nailing 12 against Saint Benilde today.
According to head coach Randy Alcantara, the shift to a perimeter-oriented attack is them turning their size disadvantage into a strength rather than a weakness.
"Nagiging weapon na namin kasi 'yun nga, 'pag duma-drive kami, may (Ladis) Lepalam tsaka (Will) Gozum eh. Kung titignan natin, kami yung may pinakamaliit na lineup," said Alcantara after their 84-65 victory over the Blazers.
"So buti na lang nagcoconnect na 'yung labas namin kaya mas tumitira sa labas."
Alcantara, though, said that while they make those baskets from deep, they might miss securing the rebounds.
"Pero 'yun nga, 'pag nag-settle kami sa labas, nawawalan naman kami ng rebounds kaya buti na lang, pumapasok ['yung mga shots sa labas]."
Still, Alcantara is beaming with joy as they are now third in the team standings behind league leaders Colegio de San Juan de Letran and San Beda University who will be their next opponent on Saturday.
"Malaking bagay para sa amin 'tong solo third [kasi] magbibigay 'to ng malaking boost para sa mga players and of course, marami pang mangyayari doon sa last two games namin. Pero maganda na nakuha namin itong solo third."
—JMB, GMA News
