The first official win is finally in the bag for Mapua University after a tough 0-8 start to NCAA Season 98.
And the Cardinals hope their breakthrough win against Emilio Aguinaldo College is what will spark their run the rest of the way.
"Of course, masayang-masaya at very proud doon sa nilaro ng mga players ngayon. Nakita naman natin na gustong-gusto nilang makuha 'tong first win namin," said Mapua head coach Randy Alcantara after they gutted out a 67-55 win over the Generals on Saturday.
"Malaking bagay at malaking panalo 'to. Sana hindi silang magsawa na makinig at sumunod 'yung mga players at hopefully magtuloy-tuloy na at makuha namin 'yung mga next assignments namin."
It has been a tumultuous season for the Cardinals.
After a stellar run in Season 97, which saw them reach the championship round against Colegio de San Juan de Letran, Mapua opened a new campaign with a win over San Beda but that was eventually ruled a forfeit.
They then lost seven straight games to sink to the bottom of the standings.
But before they ended the first round, the wards of Alcantara finally got back to their old form, defeating another struggling team in EAC to barge into the win column.
Despite securing their first victory, Alcantara believes they will face an uphill battle come the second round, stressing that all teams have leveled up their game.
"Pero syempre mahirap kasi alam naman natin na malakas lahat ng teams at mahirap manalo ngayon."
—JMB, GMA News
