Can Mapúa Bring the Championship Back to Muralla?
Mapúa has put together the longest winning streak in NCAA Season 102, but for team captain Cyrus Cuenco, the Cardinals’ six straight victories mean little if they cannot accomplish their ultimate goal: bringing the championship back to Muralla.
The Cardinals closed out the crossover round with a 71-43 win over San Sebastian, extending their winning streak to six games after opening the season with three straight losses. The victory improved Mapúa to 6-3.
“Lagi naman sinasabi sa’min ni coach Chito [Victolero] na ang pinakaimportanteng game na lalaruin namin ay ‘yong present,” Cuenco said.
“Sobrang importante ng panalo na ’to ngayon. Siyempre, going back sa group of death, malaking bagay ’to sa momentum namin,” he added.
Cuenco has been at the center of Mapúa’s resurgence. The team captain was named Player of the Week after averaging 14.0 points, four rebounds, two assists, and two steals in back-to-back overtime wins against Letran and Perpetual.
He continued to deliver in Mapúa’s latest victory, earning Player of the Game honors with 25 points, three steals, and two assists on 60 percent shooting from the field.
But despite the Cardinals’ impressive run, Cuenco remains focused on the bigger goal. With his final collegiate season underway, he wants to help Mapúa reclaim the NCAA crown and give the community another championship to celebrate.
“Ang identity na gusto namin ay maging winners kami. We want to leave a legacy personally and as a team,” Cuenco said.
“Wala kaming ibang goal kung ’di ang manalo ngayon, especially last year ko na. I want to prove something. Gusto ko matulungan ’yong team at ’yong community na maibalik ulit ’yong championship sa’min,” he added.
The Cardinals have come a long way from their 0-3 start, learning to stay composed in close games. They have won all three of their overtime games during their six-game winning streak, showing how much they have improved in crunch time.
Now, Mapúa hopes to carry that momentum into the next phase of the season. But for Cuenco and the Cardinals, the goal goes beyond extending their winning streak.
It is to bring the championship back to Muralla.
