Many have tried before, but it was Randy Alcantara who helped bring the glory back to Mapua University after 33 years.
However, this success isn't about him alone as the seasoned tactician dedicated their NCAA Season 100 championship run to all those who came before him — the former Cardinals coaches.
"‘Yung mga [previous] coaches malaki ‘yung naitulong sa akin niyan, malaking inspirasyon para sa akin," Alcantara said on Sunday after Mapua swept De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde to rule NCAA Season 100.
"Sabi ko nga, hindi sa lahat ng coaches nabibigay ‘tong pagkakataon na ‘to."
Before Alcantara, there were the likes of Joel Banal, Horacio Lim, Leo Isaac, Chito Victolero, and Atoy Co who had manned the sidelines in the past for Mapua.
Banal, of course, was the first mentor of Alcantara when he was still a player for the Cardinals and the two helped the school win back-to-back titles in 1990 and 1991 — their last titles before their Season 100 championship.
Victolero, now the Magnolia head coach in PBA, has been a regular supporter of the squad and was even present during their victory over the Blazers at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Co was also a father figure for Alcantara, who served as one of the former's assistant coaches during his tenure from 2012 to 2018 before Alcantara was given the reins to call the shots in 2019.
For Alcantara, their championship run this time was a product of those who showed the way in the previous years that saw them titleless.
"[Salamat] especially coach coach Joel na sa start pa lang, as a player, talagang marami akong natutunan sa kanya at sa lahat ng coach Leo, coach Horacio, coach Atoy, naging assistant niya ako. Si coach Chito na laging nandiyan para sa akin palagi," he added.
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
