IT was a first for San Beda's Janti Miller.
The usually composed rookie found himself ejected at the 6:16 mark of the fourth quarter after receiving his second technical foul of the game - both for flopping.
“B----t. It’s a flop call, but he pushed me,” Miller lamented pertaining to Deo Cuajao of Letran.
“I don’t know. It is what it is,” he added.
For the 6-foot-4 guard, the technicals were unprecedented.
“If you watch all season, I never went over two fouls. I never got a tech all season. Prior to playing here in the NCAA, I don’t think I ever got a tech. And I got two today. It’s kind of weird, but I’m just gonna go with it,” he admitted.
Thankfully for the Red Lions, Miller was hardly missed as they still took an 89-70 win in an impressive Game 1 against Letran. Still, the sting of the ejection surely lingers for the Fil-American guard.
READ: San Beda on the cusp of another NCAA title after smashing Letran
For a player who prides himself on discipline and consistency, being forced to watch from the sidelines in a finals-deciding game was hard to digest.
“Two technicals. I got two flops. I didn’t get no technical. I don’t know how a flop can be a technical,” he stressed after bowing out with 16 points and nine rebounds.
The ejection carries serious consequences as he will be sidelined for Game 2 of the finals, the team’s chance to claim the championship.
READ: Janti Miller set to be suspended for Game 2 after ejection
Despite his absence, he remains confident in his squad.
“I got out like seven minutes and they kept the game under control. I feel like they can play without me,” he said.
“I’m not worried at all. If I can’t play, then I’ll be on the sideline cheering for my team. But I’m confident. If I play, I play. I don’t really care.”
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