When the Mapua Tech Cardinals last won an NCAA championship, their head coach and his assistants were still playing. Back in the 2007 season, Mapua almost made a return trip to the Finals behind that season’s Most Valuable Player, Kelvin De La Pena. They’ve had quite a few talented players come over in the last five years or so, but it was never enough to get them to the Big Dance.

This generation of Cardinals however must take one last stand, one last time, because it could be quite a while before they can get competitive again. Last season, with a much-diminished lineup, the Cardinals still scared the living daylights out of a few contenders. A lot of the current Cardinal veterans were still learning the ropes and cutting their teeth with the superstars of season past. They learned to be patient, and to always look for weaknesses even in the strongest of opponents. They nearly upended reigning champion San Sebastian in the eliminations last season.

For head coach Chito “Pistolero” Victolero, he knows that the core of the Mapua roster he has now must take their game to the next level. “They are all veterans now, and this could be the best chance for them to at least return to the Final 4,” Victolero said in one off-season interview. 5-foot-9 guard Allan Mangahas might be the most critical piece of this puzzle. Mangahas was a high-profile prospect coming out of the Philippine Christian University junior ranks. He learned to play the backcourt with De La Pena, Ian Mazo and Hermes Sumalinog, and he has become one of the most accomplished sentinels in the league. A lot rests on his shoulders because he controls the tempo, calls out the opposing defenses, and is generally acknowledged as the team’s leader.

A slew of other veterans are ready to become stars this season. Up front, there are a pair of unorthodox centers who need to step up to challenge the tall timber of opposing teams. 6-foot-6 Mark Sarangay is already a college journeyman at such a relatively young age. He initially landed on the De La Salle roster in the UAAP. He then transferred to San Beda and spent a year and a half on the B Team. 6-foot-5 Jason Pascual is a banger on one end and a bomber on the other. Vastly improved 6-foot-5 Mike Parala might prove to be the answer.

A bunch of guards who swarm like hornets return for one more shot at glory as well: 5-foot-8 Andretti Stevens, 5-foot-9 TG Guillermo, 5-foot-10 Rodel Raneses and 6-foot Erwin Cornejo. All of them can pass, handle and shoot but must improve their end-game composure. Stevens must prove he can play with his off-hand as well as his strong hand or opposing defenses will just show him his off-side and dare him to beat them. Raneses, Guillermo and Cornejo cannot take turns waxing hot and must strive for volley fire to ease the pressure of their thin frontline.

In the junior division, the Malayan Tech Red Robins might pull a few surprises this season. For the longest time they have been the whipping boys of the best high school basketball league in the country, but this could all change in Season 86. Head coach Randy Alcantara may finally have the personnel and the system to reverse the fortunes of the Robins. Forward Ian Valdez, swingman Andrew Billera and guard Rodolfo Alejandro had a great summer season and should surprise the NCAA.