MANILA, Philippines--For Mapua Cardinals coach Leo Isaac, the magic word is cohesion.

Isaac has raised the bar of expectation for the Cardinals since he had more time to toughen them up for the coming season.

"Last year, we had a strong team but we were given less time to prepare that's why we were inconsistent," said Isaac. "This year's team is more cohesive."

Isaac even warned other teams not to allow the Cardinals to reach the form he had projected them to be. "Our team is low-key. Just don't allow them to find their form," the Cardinals coach added.

Focus will be on Kelvin De la Pena, last season's Most Valuable Player, who is expected to apply for the PBA Draft this year.

"Kelvin has matured," Isaac, who guided the Cardinals to a Final Four stint last year, said. "He is more caring for his teammates unlike last year. He is more of a team player now and he wants to pass on what he has learned through the years with Mapua."

Sophomore Jonathan Banal is expected to provide the outside threat, after the departure of Sean Co. Also returning are Mark Acosta and junior Teree Guiller.

Isaac sees the center spot as a potential Waterloo for the Cardinals, whose captain Neil Pascual, a natural power forward, has been oftentimes converted into a slotman, just like Ian Mazo.

The Cardinals boast perhaps the best rookie crop after acquiring former San Beda Cubs Kevin Espinosa and Mark Sarangay, a 6-foot-6 center. They also have Allan Mangahas, the 2005 NCAA juniors' MVP, and Randolf Soriano, a point guard who honed his skills in Miami, Florida.

Mapua settled for a couple of quarterfinal finishes in the preseason, losing to top UAAP teams Ateneo and De La Salle in the knockout stages of the Nike Summer League and the Fil-Oil Cup.