Warren Bonifacio would have wanted a championship to close his stint with Mapua University.
After all, he spent almost a decade playing for Mapua under his head coach Randy Alcantara.
The Cardinals, however, fell short as they fell to San Beda University in the NCAA Season 99 best-of-three finals.
"Masakit dahil hindi namin nakuha 'yung goal namin," Bonifacio said as he described the final moments of Game 3. "That time, parang nabibingi na ako. Na-down na ako."
"Despite natalo, proud pa rin ako sa mga kasama ko sa binigay nilang best nila, sa coaching staff. Talagang kinapos lang kami sa fourth quarter. Proud pa rin ako sa teammates ko."
(It was hard because we did not get our goal. At that time, the sounds were deafening. I was down. Despite losing, I'm still proud of my team because they gave their best, even the coaching staff. We just fell short in the fourth quarter. I'm still proud of my teammates.)
As Bonifacio wrapped up his stint with Mapua, where he has been playing since high school, the big man was most grateful to Alcantara whom he considered as a father.
"Nagpasalamat ako sa kanya sa lahat ng tinulong niya sa'kin dahil kung wala siya, di naman ako makukuha. Siya 'yung naging tatay ko na rito sa Manila," Bonifacio recalled.
"Tinuruan niya ako mag-basketball, pati character, pagiging leader ko sa team. Sa kanya lahat galing 'yon, mula 2013 until now. Sobrang thankful ako kay coach Randy at sa lahat ng staff ng Mapua, pati teammates ko."
Before joining Mapua, Bonifacio went first to Adamson University for a month. However, he ended up playing for Alcantara and Mapua.
"Laking pasasalamat ko kay Coach Randy at sa Mapua kaya nung gumraduate ako ng high school, di na ko nagdalawang-isip," Bonifacio said.
(I am very thankful to coach Randy and Mapua that's why when I graduated from high school, I did not hesitate to stay here.)
With a grateful heart, Bonifacio gave his all and even played through an ankle injury which he had since late in the second round of elimination.
"This series, hindi man 100% ang katawan ko, pero 'yung puso ko para maglaro sa Mapua despite the injury, 110% maglalaro ako sa Mapua."
(This series, my body may not have been at a hundred percent, but my heart is playing a 110% for Mapua.)
Bonifacio is expected to turn pro as he was drafted in the fifth round by Magnolia which is coached by Chito Victolero, a fellow Mapua alumnus.
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
