Photo credit: Mapúa University

After 33 long years of waiting, the Mapúa University Cardinals are back on top, and what a glorious return it is. In a thrilling display of heart and hustle, the Cardinals dominated Game 2 of the NCAA Season 100 Men’s Basketball Finals, securing a 94-82 victory over De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde on Saturday at the iconic Smart Araneta Coliseum.

This win wasn’t just any championship triumph—it was a statement. For three decades, Mapúa fans dreamed of this moment, and the Cardinals delivered it in electrifying fashion. Every shot, every steal, and every moment of that game reflected the unbreakable Mapúan spirit: grit, resilience, and sheer determination.

The timing couldn’t have been more perfect either. This championship is the crowning jewel of Mapúa’s centennial celebration, a season that will forever be etched in NCAA history. It’s more than a trophy; it’s a symbol of a legacy reborn and a promise that Mapúa basketball is here to stay.

For the Cardinal community, this victory is pure magic. From alumni to students and fans, the pride and joy radiate far and wide. Thirty-three years of longing have turned into a celebration that will surely last just as long.