Sa 77th NCAA Basketball Tournament, Mapua may magandang hinaharap

Sa pagkakaroon ng bagong guro ng Mapua Institute of Technology sa katauhan ni Horacio Lim, may maganda ng kinakaharap ang kampanya ng Cardinals sa nalalapit na 77th National Collegiate Atheltic Association (NCAA) basketball championships na magbubu-kas sa Hulyo 7 sa Araneta Coliseum.

Ito’y sa dahilang, sinimulan ni Lim ang mas maraming scientific system para sa Cardinals at ang long-term basketball development program para sa magandang transition ng mga manlalaro.

"Since we have just started the new system, we’re hoping to make it into the semifinals this season," ani Lim, isa sa prime movers ng Cardinals Assistance, Resources, Development and Studies (CARDS) Foundation.

"CARDS is a fund-raising foundation intended to finance the training and development of Mapua athletes. Initially, the program will be focused on the juniors and seniors in two or three years. And hopefully next year, it will benefit other sports too like swimming, chess and track and field," dagdag pa ni Lim.

Maliban sa pagkawala nina Jake Macapagal at Roevarn Jornales na nagtapos na noong nakaraang taon, halos parehong line-up rin ang ipaparada ng Cardinals sa pangunguna ni Michael Bangoy, power forwards Edsel Feli-ciano at Erwin Sta. Maria, mabilis na point-guard na sina Victor Maneclang at Steve Marucot.

Inaasahang magbibigay karagdagang lakas sa koponan ang pagkakahugot kay Raymond Tiongco mula sa Letran kasama si Jeffrey Martin, Jake Malig at Ira Buyco na naitaas na ng ranggo mula sa juniors.

Ang iba pang bubuo sa koponan ay sina Sherwin Silva, Mark Anthony Artista, three-point shooter Roberto Lagar, 6’8 Gerry Roxas at ang 6’5 na si Raymond Dula.

"But the problem is, they’re still adjusting to my system that’s why I’m running against time as of the moment. It really takes time for them to adjust, wala pa sila doon sa level na gusto kong maabot nila. Although we have improved on all other department during the off-season, medyo kulang pa rin kami sa jelling," pahayag pa ni Lim.

"We can play fast and play slow break, because of our strengths in the 1-2-3 positions. But we are weak on the slow, dahil wala kaming makuhang magaling na big man."

"But the team is very determined, and we’ll go for nine wins to assure ourselves of a semifinals entry. I believe this team can give strong contenders a tough fight. But for now, we have to prove ourselves more and catch up on our weakness. naniniwala rin ang bagong mentor ng Mapua na ang season na ito ay isang malaking karera para sa titulo, ngunit umaasa rin siya na ang San Sebastian, Jose Rizal at defending champion College of St. Benilde ang mga team to beat.