MANILA — San Beda University moved to within a win of returning to the NCAA men’s basketball finals after dismantling the College of St. Benilde Blazers, 91-72, in a powerful Game 1 performance in the Season 101 Final Four on Tuesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
With the Red Lions determined to reclaim championship territory, Agjanti Miller delivered a dominant 29-point outing highlighted by three triples, while Ilonggo scorer John Bryan Sajonia backed him up with 26 markers in a wire-to-wire San Beda surge that steadily grew more punishing as the game progressed.
After holding a narrow 22-19 cushion early, San Beda seized full control with a blistering second-quarter run anchored by Sajonia and Miller to build a 48-37 halftime lead. The Red Lions stayed in command at 63-53 entering the final period, then blew the game wide open behind Sajonia’s outside hits as the margin ballooned to 23 points — the largest of the match.
Ian Torres finished with 18 points to lead the Blazers, while Shawn Umali and Justine Sanchez added 13 and 11, but CSB never recovered from San Beda’s mid-game offensive avalanche.
In the other semifinal pairing, the Colegio de San Juan de Letran Knights also moved one step closer to the finals after turning back the University of Perpetual Help Altas, 77-73, in a tense finish.
Rookie sensation Jonathan Manalili flirted with an all-around masterpiece for Letran, posting 15 points, eight assists, six steals, and five rebounds. Johnsherick Estrada likewise had 15 markers, while Chad Gammad chipped in 11.
The Knights seemed firmly in control with a 72-60 advantage after baskets from Jun Roque and Nathaniel Montecillo, but the Altas stormed back to trim the deficit to 71-75. Perpetual had a chance to inch closer, but Letran’s tight defense forced a crucial turnover before Estrada iced the game at the line with two free throws.
Patrick Sleat topscored for the Altas with 21 points, while John Cedric Abis added 20. John Boral and Mark Gojo Cruz contributed 11 and 10 markers, respectively.
Both San Beda and Letran now hold 1-0 edges in their respective best-of-three Final Four series./PN
