NCAA Season 91 preview: Mapua eyes Final Four spot

Head coach: Atoy Co
Last season: 4-14
Key losses: Jessie Saitanan, Joseph Eriobu, Leo Gabo
Key additions: Allwell Oraeme
Key returnees: Josan Nimes

Not even a dismal record in the previous season or a brawl would stop Mapua from aiming for the final four in the NCAA Season 91 basketball tournament.

Starting off their day even before the whole campus sets itself in motion, the Cardinals take off just as fast as Saturday sunrise along Muralla Street in Intramuros, Manila.

Cardinals head coach Atoy Co said accomplishing their goal is no easy task and they will not only rely on themselves but some little Divine intervention.

“It’s a very tough thought to think, but I’m hoping to make it to the Final Four, one game at a time,” Co said during their daily practice. “Hopefully, wishfully, and we will pray hard for it.”

Returning to the Cardinals is high-scoring forward Josan Nimes who was sidelined in NCAA Season 90 because of injury. Nimes is confident he and his team can make good on their goal.

“I’m very confident, we’ve been playing pretty good,” Nimes said, noting their good form in the preseason. “We’re confident with one another.”

Helping Cardinals in their quest for NCAA relevance is Nigerian Allwell Oraeme who provides them with length, rebounding, and rim protection.

For Co, his team’s confidence has translated into an all-new attitude evident in the locker room.

“First two years, you feel the feeling of going out of the dugout where you feel that your chances of winning are very slim,” Co said. “Now we’re going out already thinking we can beat the other teams. It’s a good sign, and that’s a big difference.” CFC