Above the Net, Beneath the Surface: MUMVT’s Tenacious Season

Article by: Armand Chinnoe Karlo F. Bernabeo V,  & Ross Daniel L. Martin

Graphics by: Alaisa C. Magueriano

Photo: Marcus D. Agustin

As the curtain falls on the National Collegiate Athletic Association’s (NCAA) 101st Men’s Volleyball season, the Mapúa University Men's Volleyball Team’s (MU MVT) campaign comes to a close—a journey forged through triumphs, failures, and unwavering hope that carried the Cardinals from one battle to the next.

Entering the season, expectations were tempered by the new play-in and group formats, which meant more teams could enter the playoffs. More teams meant more competition, which meant more upsets. Regardless of the path, the Cardinals were ready to face whoever was in front of them.

After a dominant season ending in a third-place finish, the Cardinals were on a mission to soar to even higher heights. With this being the senior season for their captain and former Best Outside Spiker award winner, Barbie San Andres, the MU MVT honed in on sending them off on a high note.

Key Fixtures

Mapúa wasted no time making a statement, outlasting last season’s top two in a five-set thriller against the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) Blazing Spikers. After trading blows through four sets, the Cardinals slammed the door shut in the decider to secure a 3–2 victory, powered by Star Middle Blocker Arjay Ramos’ 23 points and steady contributions from the starting cast. Four games later, Mapúa again found itself in a battle for momentum against the Lyceum of the Philippines University (LPU) Pirates. The Cardinals raced to a 2–0 lead before LPU snatched the third set, 29–27, threatening to swing the match. Instead, the red and gold answered with authority in the fourth, sealing a 3–1 win as Ramos and Barbie San Andres combined for 42 of the team’s 102 points.

A three-game skid then put Mapúa’s season at a crossroads. Entering Game 9 at 3–5, the Cardinals needed a response—and found one against the Arellano University (AU) Chiefs. In a tense showdown against last season’s champions, the MU MVT refused to blink, grinding out three straight tightly contested sets for a statement 3–0 sweep. More than a win, the victory marked a turning point, restoring belief and putting the Cardinals back in the fight for Group A supremacy.

From surviving five-set wars to weathering a late-set scare and snapping a painful losing streak, the home squad’s campaign became a story of resilience under pressure. Every setback sharpened their wings, while every hard-earned victory strengthened their identity as a team capable of punching above its weight. With the playoffs looming, Mapúa carried more than momentum—they carried the belief that they could challenge anyone standing across the net.

The Final Stretch

 A familiar foe stood between Mapúa and the semifinals as the Cardinals faced the San Beda University Red Spikers in the quarterfinals. After falling to San Beda earlier in the season, Mapúa entered the series with unfinished business. Game 1 on March 17 began with a stumble in the opening set, but the red and gold team quickly found their footing, clawing back set after set to steal the win. With both squads one loss away from elimination, Mapúa raised the intensity in Game 2 on March 20, setting the tone from the opening whistle and closing out a 3–1 victory to punch its ticket to the semifinals.

Another familiar challenger awaited in the next round as Mapúa squared off against AU. The Cardinals drew first blood in a heated Game 1 before the Chiefs answered in Game 2, setting up a decisive third encounter. With a finals berth on the line, Mapúa responded in emphatic fashion, dismantling the Chiefs in straight sets to seize the series and book a championship showdown against the DLS-CSB Blazing Spikers.

One on One (Finals)

The Mapúa Cardinals opened their NCAA Season 101 championship stint with a thrilling statement victory over Taft’s contenders, taking an early 1-0 lead in a best-of-three series last April 5, and placing themselves within reach of a historic title run. However, determined, the Blazers refused to let the championship slip away easily, mounting a comeback in the subsequent matches, allowing Intramuros to absorb a 2–3 loss in Game 2 last April 8. Unable to regain control of the series, the Cardinals unfortunately bid their championship dreams goodbye as a 0–3 Game 3 last April 10 flooded the Rizal Memorial Coliseum with green and white.

Despite the bittersweet 2-1 reverse-sweep, the MU MVT’s performance in the finals stood as a defining breakthrough for the program, signaling the return of the Cardinals as top contenders in the league.

What’s next for the Cardinals?

The final whistle may have ended the Mapúa Cardinals’ title hopes for the NCAA Season 101 after falling short against the DLS-CSB Blazing Spikers, but it also marked the beginning of a chapter that is only just unfolding.

After nearly two decades spent in the shadows of the finals spotlight, the Cardinals finally secured their first championship appearance, elevating themselves among the NCAA’s best and highlighting a milestone season for the team.

What comes next for the MU MVT is the challenge of building on their progress and turning their focus inward, carrying both the championship pedigree and defining lessons from their previous run. The preparation for Season 102 now becomes less about starting over and more about refining what has already been built as they center on building consistency, composure, and maturity on the big stage.