The Cardinals capped off Season 100 with a well-deserved 94-82 victory over the College of St. Benilde Blazers in Game 3 of the best-of-three finals series on Saturday, December 7, at the Araneta Coliseum, extending their winning streak to 12 games. This victory marked a moment of redemption for Alcantara, who had to watch from the sidelines the previous year as the Cardinals fell 66-76 to the San Beda Red Lions in the Season 99 finals.
Alcantara was unable to coach during the Season 99 finals due to a neck and spine surgery that had been affecting him during the crucial stages of the competition. However, after a successful recovery, he returned to coach the Cardinals in Season 100, guiding them back to the finals and ultimately to their first championship in over three decades.
“I’m really thankful to God for giving me another opportunity to coach,” Alcantara said, reflecting on his challenging journey back to the court.
With the championship secured, Alcantara and Finals MVP Clint Escamis shared in the joy of helping the Cardinals reach new heights. Alcantara, who had been part of the last Mapúa team to win the title in 1991, felt a deep personal connection to the victory. He was a member of the championship team that triumphed over San Beda in a dramatic Game 3, thanks to a last-second follow-up by slotman Benito Cheng, clinching a 91-90 victory on October 16, 1991.
“This feels like a personal miracle,” Alcantara said. “Not only did I get to coach again, but I also helped Mapúa win the championship again after 33 years.”
The 52-year-old coach, who wore his old No. 13 jersey during the finals, was nostalgic after the game, donning the same basketball ring net that had been cut from the backboard moments after their memorable win.
Alcantara was part of the support unit for the 1991 champions, alongside players like Chito Victolero, Chester Lemen, Benny Cheng, Reynold So, Terry Ronquillo, George Baltazar, and Darren Evangelista. Since then, Alcantara has made his mark, coaching the junior team to two titles in 2016 and 2018 before transitioning to the collegiate level. Under his guidance, the Cardinals have reached three finals appearances, now with one championship to their name.
Players like Escamis and Joaqui Garcia, who were part of the junior team, remained with Alcantara through the transition, becoming key contributors in the Cardinals’ successful season.
For Escamis, the championship was the result of hard work and growth. After last year’s heartbreaking loss to San Beda, he felt the difference this time in terms of composure and maturity.
“The difference this year was the composure and maturity we showed,” said Escamis. “Other coaches also helped. Last year, San Beda took the title, but this year, it showed that we really put in the work. The system and the entire community supported us.”
Escamis also credited his teammate Marc Cuenco, who scored 19 points to help lead Mapúa to a 2-0 sweep of the Blazers in the finals. Escamis had been encouraging Cuenco to keep shooting, even when his shots weren’t falling in Game 1.
“Marc stepped up. He struggled in Game 1, but I told him to keep shooting. Even if you miss, your confidence will come back, and it showed,” Escamis said.
In the decisive Game 3, Mapúa maintained a comfortable lead with back-to-back three-pointers from Lawrence Mangubat and Cuenco, keeping them ahead by 10 points heading into the fourth quarter at 66-56.
With Alcantara back at the helm and Escamis leading the way, the Mapúa Cardinals completed their redemption story, securing their first NCAA championship in over three decades.
