MANILA – Agjanti Miller erupted in the second half to propel the San Beda University Red Lions to a gritty 68–58 win over the Colegio de San Juan de Letran Knights in the NCAA Season 101 men’s basketball tournament yesterday at the Playtime Filoil Center in San Juan.
The Filipino-American guard sparked San Beda’s comeback with 22 points, five rebounds, four assists, and a steal, lifting the Red Lions to joint second place with a perfect 2–0 start to the season.
Miller’s hot hand and the steady play of Ilonggo John Bryan Sajonia, who fired 11 points, helped San Beda overcome the absence of key forward Yukien Andrada.
The Red Lions turned a 44–45 deficit into a 53–45 lead heading into the final quarter, thanks to a furious scoring burst from Sajonia and Miller.
Letran managed to claw back within four, 58–62, but clutch free throws from John Bismark Lina and two decisive baskets from Miller sealed the Red Lions’ victory down the stretch.
Rookie Jonathan Manalili topscored for the Knights with 13 points, while Deo Cuajao added 10, as Letran dropped to 1–2.
Meanwhile, the University of Perpetual Help Altas kept their slate clean at 2–0 after fending off a late rally from the Lyceum of the Philippines Pirates, 73–61.
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The Altas built an 18-point advantage, 67–49, before the Pirates mounted a furious 12–0 run to close in, 67–61, with just over a minute left. But John Cedrick Abis and Patrick Sleat delivered crucial baskets to secure the win.
Mark Gojo Cruz led Perpetual with 18 points, four rebounds, four assists, and three steals, while Jearico Nuñez tallied 13 points and 10 boards for the Altas./PN
