For Mapua University, its 69-66 come-from-behind win against Colegio de San Juan de Letran on Saturday was a test of character for the Cardinals.
Head coach Randy Alcantara said these were games that they really needed to experience.
"Sabi ko nga, ito 'yung mga kailangan naming laro, 'yung lalabas ang character ng team," he said. "'Di talaga kami puwede magpabaya, stay composed."
"Sa wakas, 'yung mga ganung sitwasyon ay kailangan namin malampasan."
(I really said these are the games that we need, something that will reveal our character as a team. We needed to stay composed. Finally, we went out on the better end of those situations.)
Thankfully for Mapua, Alcantara's veterans in Paolo Hernandez, Clint Escamis, and Warren Bonifacio came to the rescue for the Cardinals.
"Du'n pa rin tayo mag-rely doon sa tatlo," Alcantara said. "Ginampanan lang 'yung role nila."
(We'll still rely on those three. They just did their part.)
For Clint Escamis, they just played just like how they executed in the first round.
"At halftime, sabi ni coach, we weren't playing our game, 'yung nag-8-1 in the first round. We adjusted and thankfully nakahabol kami and we executed down the line," he said.
(At halftime, coach said we weren't playing our game, the team which went 8-1 in the first round. We adjusted and thankfully, we came back and executed down the line.)
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
