A Hundred Years, A Hundred Battles: Mapúa’s Season of Grit and Glory

Article by: Sean Carlo O. Samonte

Graphics by: Setheleh Liam G. Ramos

Photo: Luis Iñigo A. Lava, Stacy D. de Guzman, and Blaise Paulhene O. Rellata

In its centennial year, Mapúa University (MU) painted the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Season 100 in vivid hues of triumph, breaking barriers and making history across courts, fields, pools, and online battlefields. From the long-awaited men’s basketball crown that snapped a 33-year drought to podium climbs in swimming, chess, tennis, and football, the Cardinals showcased a tapestry of resilience, talent, and tradition.

Every squad, whether chasing glory under the bright lights of Araneta or battling for pride on the sand, track, or screen, added a verse to Mapúa’s story of excellence—proving that in this historic season, the red and gold’s spirit soared higher than ever.

Courtside Redemption

After more than three decades of waiting, the Mapúa Cardinals broke the championship dry spell and flew to the top of NCAA Season 100, claiming the Senior Men's Basketball Tournament title. Before a sea of deafening fans at the storied Smart Araneta Coliseum on December 7, the Cardinals edged out the De La Salle–College of Saint Benilde Blazers in a dogged battle for the top title.

Rebounding from the heartbreak of Season 99, the championship was more than a prize–it was a tale of redemption that wove a campaign into a laboriously written epic. Following its first-round elimination finish as top seed, every game became another chapter, every victory another stanza, until the season reached its poetic finale: a championship coinciding with the university's 100th anniversary celebration.

On the other hand, the Mapúa Red Robins wrapped up their campaign in the middle of the pack, settling into a joint 5th–6th place finish alongside the Emilio Aguinaldo College (EAC) Brigadiers. Closing the elimination round, which started last February 24, with a respectable 5–4 record, the young Cardinals showed flashes of brilliance and grit, though consistency proved elusive in their bid for a Final Four berth.

Digging Deep, Playing High

Last February 4 to 7, the Mapúa University Men’s Volleyball Team (MU MVT), the Mapúa Lady Cardinals, and the Mapúa Junior Spikers took to the sands of the Subic Bay Sand Courts in Olongapo, Zambales, for the Beach Volleyball Tournament.

Battling under the scorching sun and shifting tides of momentum, the Cardinals fought hard across their divisions, with the MU MVT and Lady Cardinals settling for 9th and 10th place finishes, respectively.  Amidst the challenges, the Junior Spikers shone brightest, pushing deep into the competition and ultimately securing a commendable 4th place finish—a result that underscored the promise of the program’s future.

Pushing forward into the Indoor Volleyball Tournament, the three home squads carried their tempo from the sand to the hardcourt. Across their respective campaigns from March to June, all three parties fought through grueling rallies and tightly contested matches, showing resilience in the face of powerhouse opponents. In a display of consistency and competitive spirit, each squad ultimately secured a 4^th place finish, a testament to the depth and determination of the red and gold teams.

Individual brilliance also shone through in the Cardinals’ campaign as Junior Spiker Kim Cris Liray soared to clinch the tournament’s Most Valuable Player award and the 1st Best Outside Hitter honor, while MU MVT Captain Barbie San Andres earned recognition as the 2nd Best Outside Spiker, cementing their role as vital contributors to their teams’ successes.

Where Speed Meets Strength

Conquering the tides, the Mapúa Cardinals Swimming Team made waves during the four-day Swimming Tournament held at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex from December 10 to 13. True to their spunk and willpower in the pool, the red and gold team showcased both speed and synergy, conquering every lap with determination. Their efforts paid off with a golden finish in the Men’s 4x50m Medley Relay, highlighted by the seamless coordination and relentless drive.

Adding depth to their medal haul, the Cardinals also secured bronze medals in the Women’s 4x50m Medley Relay, as well as in the Men’s 4x50m Freestyle Relay. These podium finishes proved that Mapúa’s swimmers could rise to the challenge across divisions and bring honor to the red and gold.

Moving from the aquatic stage to the track, MU, represented by the 15-person Mapúa Tracksters, claimed their seventh consecutive first runner-up finish in the Seniors Division of the Track and Field Tournament last March 16 to 18 at the New Clark City Athletics Stadium in Capas, Tarlac. With a 16-medal haul–four gold, 10 silver, and two bronze medals–the squad garnered 555.75 points, claiming the overall silver finish in the competition.

Though undermanned in the competition, the Tracksters proved that a team’s strength lies not in numbers, but in the skills they bring to the field.

Rallying Racket Rivalries

Paddled for greatness, the MU Table Tennis Team fought at the Table Tennis Tournament held from November 12 to 16 at the San Beda University Gymnasium. anchored in rigor and perseverance, the Cardinals battled their way through the competition, showcasing sharp reflexes and relentless rallies at the table, securing Final Four finishes for both the Men’s and Women’s squads. Meanwhile, the juniors closed their season with a respectable 5^th place standing, a result that underscored both their growth and promise for the future.

Moving onto the tennis court, the MU Cardinals Tennis Teams wrapped up their centennial campaign in the Lawn Tennis Tournament with two podium finishes at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex. In a historic run, the Juniors squad booked a monumental slot in the finals, finishing as first runner-up after bowing to eventual champions, the University of Perpetual Help System DALTA, last March 25. Meanwhile, the Men’s Team battled fiercely in a tightly contested third-place playoff, sharing the bronze accolade with San Beda University on March 28.

Fresh from their two-podium haul in Lawn Tennis, the tennis teams ran it back with fire in their eyes at the Soft Tennis Tournament, staged from April 7 to 14 at the same venue. The Juniors squad swung big and smashed their way to a third-place finish, clinching the second runner-up spot to close their centennial season on a high note. Not to be outdone, the Men’s Team clawed its way into the Final Four, proving it could trade blows with the NCAA’s toughest rackets.

In a shining moment of individual brilliance, Shaira Gil Silva stormed onto the scene to seize the Rookie of the Year award, bringing glory to the Women’s Team and setting the stage for a future Cardinal star in the making.

Of Kicks and Goals

Soaring to a monumental comeback, the Mapúa Taekwondo Team made their presence felt at the Taekwondo Tournament held from November 28 to 30 at the EAC Gymnasium. The Cardinals stormed back into the league spotlight with three semifinal appearances, demonstrating indomitable spirit. Dean Ziglar Barreiro battled his way to the semis in the Senior Men’s Kyorugi heavyweight division, while John Jeboei Derit mirrored the feat in the welterweight class. Adding to the team’s success, Adonis Jazeel Rivera delivered a strong performance in the Junior Boys Kyorugi, securing semifinal berths in both the lightweight and middleweight categories.

Carrying the drive into the pitch, the Mapúa Booters earned a milestone bronze in the Football Tournament, staged at the University of Makati Stadium beginning March 22. Despite battling early setbacks and settling at the fourth spot at the end of the elimination round with a 1-4 standing, the squad laced their boots to subjugate the EAC Generals in their bout for third on April 26, ending the match with a 3-2 shootout victory, sealing another proud podium finish for the home team.

Carrying a hard-earned bronze medal under their belt, the Mapúa Booters remain grounded, choosing humility over hype and letting their performance on the pitch speak louder than words.

The Last, 2, 3, 4s

Maintaining their tradition of high-flying energy and crowd-pumping spirit, the Mapúa Cheerping Cardinals rose to 4th place at the Cheerleading Competition held last May 22 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena. The powerhouse 21-member squad fused talent across seven generations—bringing together the grit of Batch 2017’s veterans and the fiery energy of Batch 2024’s newcomers to deliver a performance that scored 193.5 points.

With their improvements from last season’s tally of 184 points, the Cardinals are steadily forging their identity as a formidable contender—armed with drive, discipline, and determination to rise back to the top and stake their claim as the next cheerleading powerhouse.

Navigating Dynamic, Dance, and Digital Arenas

On the checkered battlefield, the Mapúa Cardinals Chess Teams proved their strategic edge in the Chess Tournament held from October 26 to November 18, 2024, at Ayala Malls Manila Bay, Parañaque City.

The Juniors Division delivered a milestone run, clinching two golds and a 3rd place overall finish. Vladimir Rhegz Lait shone on Board 4 with a gold medal and the Rookie of the Year award, while Jan Renzo Ochave added another gold on Board 5. From 5th place last season, the juniors climbed onto the podium, signaling a new era for the squad. In the Seniors Division, Yureeh Panganiban earned silver on Board 4, while Team Captain John Paolo Medina secured bronze on Board 2. Their composure under pressure underscored Mapúa’s growing depth and consistency.

On the dancefloor, Mapúa Xtrmity Dance Company (XDC) radiated Cardinal pride in the seniors’ division of the first Street Dance Competition at the Filoil EcoOil Centre last December 12. Guided by Coach Justine Torres and Co-Coach Paul Adriano, the team delivered an upbeat, arena-lighting routine that scored 79 points.

In the juniors’ division, the Mapúa Junior Dance Troupe, represented by the Royal Humble Dance Company (RHDC) from MU Senior High School, captivated the crowd with a soulful piece choreographed by Coach RD Pagsanghan. Donning Hama pants and white flowy sleeves, the troupe impressed the judges with their artistry, earning 79.2 points.

Moving into the digital realm, the Mapúa Gaming Society nabbed the bronze medal in the inaugural Esports Kickoff Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Tournament held at the Philippine GameDev Expo at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City on July 27.

With a 6-2 win-loss run in the elimination round held from June 28 to July 13, the red and gold squad, composed of Demetrius Yuriel Audjie, Rafael Benipayo, JM Ocampo, Clint Aljarreau Orsoman, Axl Santos, and Vincent Villanueva secured their place in the playoffs, joining the league’s top six contenders with their eyes firmly set on the crown.

After sustaining nail-biting matches throughout their journey, the squad claimed their podium finish after succumbing to their bout against the Colegio de San Juan de Letran Knights for the final slot at the championship.

A New Century Awaits

From championship triumphs to spirited comebacks, the Mapúa Cardinals’ NCAA Season 100 campaign was an assortment of resilience and excellence. A 5th-place finish in the General Championship may only tell part of the story—the bigger picture shows a university thriving across disciplines, fueled by tradition and hungry for future glory.

Now set to host NCAA Season 101, the Cardinals spread their wings for another flight—ready to ignite a fresh century of triumphs, traditions, and unyielding excellence—and the best is yet to come.