Mapua wins NCAA title after 33 years of waiting

Mapua swept College of St. Benilde in their best-of-three Finals series of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) 100th Season.

The Cardinals ended their 33-year title drought on Saturday, December 7, with a convincing 94-82 victory over the Benilde Blazers.

It will also be a fitting gift for the university, which will mark its 100th year anniversary in January 2025.

Mapua did not only sweep the Finals to establish their dominance of the collegiate league, they also went on a 12-0 blast, including a nine-game sweep in the second round of the eliminations.

It was a grind out game in the first quarter of play as the two teams were only separated by a point, but in the second period Mapua showed their grit by scoring 21 and limiting Beniled to 14 to have a 12-point lead at the half.

In the second half, Mapua shot 8-of-16 from three-point territory and never looked back until the final buzzer sounded.

Tears flowed all over the court when the Cardinals were officially named as champions after their past heartbreaks.

"Siyempre, walang kasing sarap. After three tries, yung minimithi namin, finally nakuha namin," said Mapua coach Randy Alcantara, a member of the last Mapua team to win the championship back in 1991 as a player.

MAPUA 94 - Cuenco 19, Escamis 18, Mangubat 17, Hubilla 15, Recto 9, Igliane 8, Bancale 6, Garcia 2, Concepcion 0, Fermin 0.

BENILDE 82 - Sanchez 24, Ynot 17, Liwag 14, Sangco 7, Oli 7, Torres 5, Ancheta 4, Ondoa 2, Eusebio 2, Cometa 0, Cajucom 0.

Quarter Scores: 24-23; 45-37; 66-56; 94-82.