For explosion vs San Beda, Mapua’s Saitanan earns NCAA Player of the Week nod

MANILA, Philippines – Celebrating his 21st birthday, Mapua center Jessie Saitanan had other things in mind of when it comes to a celebration – one comes in the form of powering his team to a gigantic upset victory over heavily fancied San Beda squad to end their 13-game winless drought.

Saitanan’s explosion at crunch time against the three-time defending champions was enough for him to be named the NCAA Press Corps Player of the Week.

The 6’5 sophomore out of Cavite poured in 10 straight points in the final four minutes of the game as he singlehandedly willed his team back from a six point deficit against the usually steady Red Lions. Saitanan scored a total of 18 points on an impressive 9/12 shooting to propel the Cardinals to their massive upset victory.

What made it all the more impressive is that he did it against an imposing San Beda frontline composed of Nigerian behemoth Ola Adeogon, Art dela Cruz and Rome dela Rosa – proving that he can hang and dominate some of the best big men the league has to offer.

“Sobrang saya ko lang. Kung masaya si coach, mas masaya ako kasi napakagandang birthday gift nito sa akin,” the soft-spoken Saitanan said.

 â€œSiguro nai-a-apply ko lang yung tinuro nila coach sa akin. Yun yung dahilan kung bakit ganun ang laro ko,” he added.

Saitanan has been a steady performer for coach Atoy Co and the struggling Cardinals as he’s averaging eight points and six rebounds for the season. Co, for his part, is just thankful that Saitanan is finally picking up his game.

“I’m really happy for him that he’s been playing really well and is starting to pick his game up at the right time,” Co said. 

Despite being eliminated early, Saitanan and the rest of the Mapua Cardinals can end their season on a good note as they take on Emilio Aguinaldo College on October 14 and Lyceum on October 17.