THE SAN BEDA Red Lions drew first blood in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Season 101 basketball Finals, crushing archrivals Colegio de San Juan de Letran (CSJL) Knights in Game 1, 89-70, to inch closer to their 24th title at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Wednesday, December 10.
Tightening their grip, the Red Lions opened the first quarter strong, ultimately dictating the early tempo. With Nygel Gonzales spearheading the attack, San Beda quickly built a commanding 22–9 advantage.
Letran responded with a late-quarter surge that forced the Mendiola-based squad to tighten up defensively. Janti Miller stepped up with crucial defensive rebounds that helped restrain the Knights’ momentum and preserve the lead. The quarter closed with a 10-point lead by the Lions, 29-19.
What began as a closely-contested opening frame quickly escalated as San Beda erupted for 37 points in the second quarter; a blistering stretch that broke the game open and set the tone for the rest of the afternoon. Their offensive control stemmed from balanced rhythm, converting 9-of-15 shots in the point for a strong 60% finish inside.
Behind sharp execution and relentless pressure, the Red Lions turned a slim three-point lead into a commanding halftime cushion, and the Knights never recovered.
Bryan Sajonia spearheaded the attack with 17 points on 6-of-11 shooting, draining three triples and repeatedly punishing defensive gaps.
San Beda’s efficiency was the story: 54% shooting, decisive ball movement, and seamless transition play that produced 33 fastbreak points. Defensively, the Lions were equally sharp, holding Letran’s starters to just seven total points and forcing the Muralla-based squad to rely heavily on their bench.
Coming out of halftime, the Red Lions returned to the floor with renewed urgency, immediately pressing the Knights in an effort to stretch their slim advantage. Sajonia ignited the momentum shift with a crucial three-pointer that set the tone for the quarter.
From there, San Beda took full control—unleashing a dominant offensive run that left Letran scrambling. The Red Lions’ relentless pace allowed them to balloon the lead to as many as 22 points compared to Letran’s five, their largest of the game, before closing the quarter comfortably ahead, 70–48.
As the Red Lions protected their lead deep into the fourth quarter, the game’s intensity briefly spiked when Janti Miller was whistled for two flopping violations, resulting in his ejection.
In the aftermath, Miller expressed confusion regarding the calls and shared the emotions he carried in those moments.
“Bro, two technicals? I got two flops,” he said. “I didn’t get no technical. I don’t know how a flop can be a technical, but I guess I’m just gonna practice, just get my mind ready—if I’m gonna play, if I’m not, I don’t know what to do, to be honest with you.”
The call also prompted a firm response from Head Coach Yuri Escueta, who confirmed that San Beda intends to appeal.
“Of course, we have plans of appealing at least two floppings,” he said. “It’s not an act of violence. He won’t flop if he’s not released. But of course, we don’t want him flopping. He’ll learn how to adjust.”
With the victory, San Beda moves one win away from reclaiming the NCAA championship and completing a season-long climb back to the top.
The two collegiate basketball powerhouses are set to face each other once more at 2:00 pm on Saturday, December 13, at the same venue.
Quarter Scores – 29-19, 46-43, 68-48, 89-70
San Beda 89 – Sajonia 17, Miller 16, Gonzales 14, Reyes 8, Estacio 8, Calimag 7, Puno 6, Celzo 6, Andrada 5, Lina 2
Letran 70 – Manalili 17, Estrada 14, Roque 12, Santos 6, Gammad 6, Omega 4, Cuajao 2, Buensalida 2, Tapenio 2, Montecillo 2, Yusi 2, Gazzingan 1