Despite head coach Randy Alcantara not being a hundred percent due to his hypertension, Mapua University was able to rise above a flat first half to overcome San Sebastian College-Recoletos, 70-63.
Though being under the weather, this did not stop Alcantara to support his boys as he was still able to make the trip down to San Juan.
According to assistant coach Yong Garcia, this show of resiliency from their head coach consequently inspired the team to rally in the second half.
“'Yun nga 'yung sinabi ko sa mga bata na 'Look at Coach Randy, kulang na lang dalhin na siya sa ospital. Pero nandito siya, hindi kayo iniwan sa laban. Nandito pa siya para sa laban natin, para sama-sama tayo.' So parang naging wake-up call 'yun sa mga bata na kahit may sakit 'yung coach nila, nandito pa rin at hindi sila iniwan.”
(I told them "Look at Coach Randy, he somehow needs to be hospitalized, but he's here and he did not leave you. He's here for us so we can be together." So it's a wake-up for the players that even though their coach is sick, he's still here.)
Down by four heading into halftime, the Cardinals went on to outscore the Golden Stags in the third quarter, 28-19, ultimately giving them their 10th win of the season.
Taking the reins in today’s contest, Garcia commended the team for showing their mettle considering that they were without their lead tactician.
“Pinush namin 'yung mga players at sinabi namin na kailangan natin maglaro as a team at kailangan natin mag-stick sa sistema. Medyo mahirap, pero masaya kami na in the end naipakita nila 'yung character nila,” said Garcia.
(We pushed the players and we told them that we need to play as a team and we need to stick to the system. It's somehow challenging, but in the end they showed their character.)
Mapua will hope to have Alcantara back on the sidelines when they face Emilio Aguinaldo College next on Wednesday, November 8.
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
