Mapua Shocks San Beda

Mapua ended a 13-game losing skid in grand style as it brought defending champion San Beda back to earth with an 81-76 victory in the NCAA Season 89 at The Arena in San Juan.

The Cardinals went to Jessie Saitanan at crunch time to score what could be the biggest upset of the season.

Fittingly, yesterday was Saitanan’s 21st birthday.

He exploded for 10 straight points in the final four minutes to propel the Cardinals to just their second win in 16 games, but definitely their biggest in three months. In all, the 6-foot-5 center finished with 18 points on 9-of-12 shooting.

Down, 71-65, with five minutes left in the game, the Cardinals went on a fiery 11-3 run, with 10 coming from Saitanan, as they got their first taste of the lead, 76-74 with 1:41 remaining.

Rome dela Rosa tied game with two foul shots with 1:32 left in the game, but rookie CJ Isit drilled a clutch jumper from the baseline to give the Cardinals the lead for good with 34 seconds left in the game.

After the Red Lions bungled their next offensive play, Mapua’s Jeson Cantos split his charities, giving San Beda another opportunity to turn the game around.

It did not happen as dela Rosa committed a five-second inbound violation.

The Red Lions actually had two more chances to send the game into overtime after forcing Mapua’s Kenneth Ighalo to turn the ball but Art dela Cruz and Baser Amer missed their threes leading to a pair of splits from Kenneth Ighalo and Joseph Eriobu.

As the final buzzer sounded, the Cardinals whooped it up as though they have won the championship.

“Eto na siguro yung sinabing pag may tyaga may nilaga. Kasi never akong nag-give up sa team ko, ever since, maski napagtatatalo kami,” an ecstatic Atoy Co said.

“Winning against San Beda is a big, big bonus. I’m really happy. Lumamang sila ng first quarter, nakahabol kami, lumamang ulit sila then nakahabol ulit kami, kaya pakiramdam ko may chance talaga kami,” he added.

After going winless for the past three months, Mapua exemplified great resolve, the same character they showed in their double overtime victory against San Sebastian in the first round.

The Red Lions opened the game with a 24-13 lead after the first quarter before the Cardinals stormed back to within four at the half.

Dela Cruz caught fire in the third, nailing three straight triples to give San Beda a 64-53 lead heading into the pay-off period but the night really belonged to the Cardinals as they stormed back again, outscoring the Mendiola-based squad 28-12 in the final quarter.

source: Tempo