Key losses: Cyril Gonzales, Noah Lugo, Laurenz Victoria
Key holdovers: Warren Bonifacio, Arvin Gamboa, Joaquin Garcia
Season 95 record: 9-9, finished the eliminations at 6th
The last time that Mapua University trooped to the Final Four stage was six years ago, when it finished the elimination round of Season 92 with a 12-6 card to wind up third.
The Cardinals eventually fell to the Arellano Chiefs in their semifinals clash and since then, Mapua has not made it back to the playoff round, finishing 10th in Season 93, 7th in Season 94, and sixth in Season 95.
In this year's NCAA return, Mapua is also eyeing for a return trip to the Final Four led by young talents in mainstays Warren Bonifacio, Arvin Gamboa, Joaquin Garcia, Jasper Salenga, and NCAA Season 94 Juniors Finals MVP Paolo Hernandez.
During the league hiatus, Mapua had also stocked with talents by tapping prized cagers in Ivan Santos and Jopet Soriano as well as young big man Ferdinand Asuncion.
Completing the Mapua roster are Toby Bryan Augustin, Carl Brian Lacap, Jomer Mercado, Jose Miguel Milan, Jeric James Pido, and Ryan Saul.
Mapua will still be coached by Randy Alcantara, who was previously at the helm of the school's juniors basketball program.
The NCAA Season 97 live games air every Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday to Sunday at 12:00 NN on GTV with replays every Monday and Thursday at 3:00 PM on GTV.'
—JMB, GMA News
