The Mapua Institute of Technology Cardinals won its season debut in the 86^th season of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) seniors' basketball tournament with a 79-65 beating against the University of Perpetual Help Altas yesterday at the San Juan Arena.

The Cardinals surge came in the fourth quarter, after a near melee in the eight minute mark of the fourth quarter.

With the Cardinals holding possession, Alta shooting guard Andrew Danganan broke a screen set by Cardinal point guard Andretti Stevens, which started the commotion. Stevens was seen tripping Danganan, while the latter retaliated by planting an elbow to the former.

This resulted in a near melee between the squads, with Cardinal reserves Narr Garay and Raymark Cabrera ejected for the game for entering the playing court. Danganan received a flagrant foul penalty one while Alta point guard Chris Elopre got a technical foul. Mapua's Stevens, forward Jason Pascual, and center Mike Parala were likewise called for a technical foul each.

After the 10-minute lull, the Cardinals went on a scoring surge, via a superior inside game from Pascual and Erwin Cornejo while hotshot Rodel Ranises upped Mapua's lead to 20 points with two triples.

Forward Mark Acosta led the Cardinals with 14 points and 12 rebounds while Danganan, a transferee from STI College, scored 23 points in his NCAA debut.