Mapua shocks San Beda

THE MAPUA Cardinals registered the upset of the tournament as they took down league giants and defending champions, the San Beda Red Lions, 81-76, in the 89th NCAA men’s basketball tournament yesterday at the Arena in San Juan City.

The awesome win snapped the Cardinals’ long dry spell which before yesterday, spanned 13 games. It was the third longest losing streak in this league.

Jessie Saitanan had a heck of a birthday as he made the clutch shots that gave them the win, their second in 14 games. The loss dropped San Beda to 13-3.

Saitanan had 10 of his 18 points in the payoff period, each one important as it kept the resilient Red Lions from overtaking them. /Correspondent Jonas Panerio