Romero stars as Blazers, Cardinals pull off stunners

Games Wednesday

(The Arena, San Juan City)

12 p.m. – Perpetual Help vs Lyceum (jrs/srs)

4 p.m. – Letran vs Emilio Aguinaldo (srs/jrs)

 MANILA, Philippines – Skipper Mark Romero has one wish before he ends his playing years with St. Benilde — to beat San Beda.

Wish granted.

Exploding with 12 fourth quarter points, Romero powered St. Benilde to a shock 83-76 victory over previously unbeaten San Beda to nail its third straight win and a first in six seasons over the perennial champion in the 90th NCAA basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan City Monday.

Romero, a 23-year-old graduating Hotel and Restaurant Management student, finished with 20 points he topped with a team-high six assists as the Blazers booked their third straight win after starting the season with three losses in row.

It was also St. Benilde’s first win over San Beda since it won via forfeiture over the latter after former Lion Sam Ekwe of Nigeria was caught wearing a wrong set of uniform six seasons ago.

The last win by the Blazers over the Lions on the court came nine years back thanks to a 91-86 overtime victory late in the second round of elimination.

“It was sweet for me because I’ve never really won against San Beda in my years with St. Benilde and this is my last year,” said Romero.

For St. Benilde coach Gabby Velasco, the feeling was like winning a championship.

 “It was a nice to beat a powerhouse team in San Beda. The feeling was like we won a championship,” said St. Benilde coach Gabby Velasco.

Mapua completed the day of upsets after it stunned San Sebastian, 89-81, to nail its first win in seven outings.

Jessie Saitanan paced the Cardinals with 24 points and nine rebounds to lead the way.

“We’re happy we finally won,” said Mapua coach Atoy Co, whose target this season is to surpass their three-win mark a year ago.

The Stags fell to 3-3.

Juan Paolo Taha and Jonathan Grey provided some scoring relief for Romero after scattering 16 and 15 points, respectively.

Romero shone the brightest late in the game when he scored six unanswered points that shattered 71-all deadlock and the hearts of San Beda, which was coming into the game atop the heap with five straight wins.

The scores:

First Game

St. Benilde 83 – Romero 20, Taha 16, Grey 15, Bartolo 9, Nayve 7, Ongteco 6, Argamino 5, Altamirano 3, Sinco 2, Jonson 0, Saavedra 0, Mercado 0

San Beda 76 – Amer 18, Adeogun 15, Dela Cruz 15, Koga 13, A. Semerad 9, Pascual 6, D. Semerad 1, Cabanag 0, Mendoza 0, Sara 0, Mocon 0, Tongco 0, Solera 0

Quarterscores: 25-23; 37-all; 53-55; 83-76

Second Game

Mapua 89 – Saitanan 24, Isit 14, Gabo 14, Cantos 14, Estrella 9, Biteng 8, Eriobu 4, Layug 2, Canaynay 0, Tubiano 0

San Sebastian 81 – Perez 22, Ortuoste 16, Dela Cruz 12, Guinto 10, Yong 7, Fabian 4, Camasura 3, Calisaan 2, Costelo 0, Aquino  0

Quarterscores: 16-17; 42-37; 65-58; 89-81