For the past 33 years, the title had proved elusive to Mapua University. And no one was hungrier to see the school win another NCAA crown than the man responsible for winning their last one.
Benny Cheng, whose game-winning putback sent the Cardinals to the Season 67 championship in 1991 to complete back-to-back feat, was present to witness the present-day Cardinals capture the centennial Season 100 title against De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde last Saturday.
Cheng shared it felt like a privilege to see the school hoist another NCAA trophy after more than three decades of waiting.
"Una sa lahat I feel so privileged to be part of this, it’s the 100th year of Mapua and 100th year of NCAA. I wanna congratulate the team dahil napanalo nila itong championship," Cheng told GMA News Online as he celebrated with the team at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
[First of all, I feel so privileged to be part of this, it's the 100th year of Mapua and 100th year of NCAA. I wanna congratulate the team because they were able to win this championship.]
Cheng, even though he has been away from the basketball limelight for a time now, is a constant presence within the Mapua community and even visits the practices when he's free.
He was also present when the team fell to San Beda University in last year's edition of the finals. That's why he was so glad to see the team finally complete its redemption tour as Mapua swept the Blazers in two games to clinch the title in the school's 100th founding anniversary.
"Always, ‘pag may time ako lagi akong nanonood ng games nila. I am always here to see them," he added.
[Always, when I have the time I'm always watching their games. I am always here to see them.]
Cheng was also particularly impressed by how team captain Clint Escamis carried himself and the team on his shoulders, while also giving props to the collective effort shown by the wards of head coach Randy Alcantara —one of his teammates during their 1990-1991 title runs.
Escamis dropped 30 points in Game 1 to star in their 84-73 mastery of Benilde while the other key players made their presence felt in Game 2 with Cyrus Cuenco and Lawrence Mangubat firing 19 and 17 markers apiece.
"Grabe, lahat ng best ginawa niya. He’s a leader sa lahat ng aspects and maganda kasi nag-step up lahat ng kasama niya, hindi lang siya," Cheng said.
[He gave all of his best. He's a leader in all aspects and it's good that everyone stepped up, not just him.]
—JMB, GMA Integrated News
