WHEN the dust settled in what was a rollercoaster of a season, it was the Red Lions who stood tall and mighty in the end.
San Beda claimed its 24th NCAA men's basketball title and it couldn't have been any more sweeter as it swept archrival Letran 83-71 in the Season 101 men's basketball finals, Saturday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Bryan Sajonia etched himself in the rich San Beda lore by draining a dagger three-pointer with 1:59 remaining to give the Red Lions a 76-69 lead -- extinguishing the Knights' last ditch attempt at a comeback.
Nygel Gonzales then put the finishing touches on the Red Lions' championship run, scoring the last seven points as the Sea of Red rocked the packed Smart Araneta Coliseum in jubilation.
"These players really showed character. This is developed throughout the years, the losses and the wins, all the experiences we've been through, and they just showed character today that they really wanted to win," San Beda coach Yuri Escueta said.
"They never gave up, they locked down defensively and listened. Sabi ko nga e, si Bryan matigas ang ulo pero malakas ang loob. This is really a product of their hardwork."
Like Game 1, the third quarter proved to be pivotal for the Red Lions as Sajonia teamed up with Gonzales and graduating forward Yuki Andrada to create separation from the Knights for good.
Trailing by two, 37-39, at the half - the Red Lions went on a 28-14 third quarter to take an eight point lead entering the fourth period - a lead they'd never relinquish despite repeated rallies from the Knights.
The Knights came to within four, 73-69, after a Deo Cuajao three with 2:51 remaining but that proved to be their last stand, with Sajonia and Gonzales putting the finishing touches for the Red Lions.
Sajonia was named the Finals MVP as he finished with 21 points, nine rebounds and two assists in the clincher as he was once again carried the load despite the absence of super scorer Janti Miller who missed the game because of a suspension.
He averaged 19 points per game, 7.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists for the tournament.
Andrada played out his final game in the NCAA in style, also finishing with 21 points to go along five rebounds, three assists, three blocks and two steals.
Nygel Gonzales added 19 points and four assists while Jomel Puno hauled down 14 rebounds, six assists to go along seven boards.
It was a heartbreaking end to Letran's Cinderella run as they came into the finals with a six-game winning streak, having beat Arellano twice in the quarterfinals before sweeping top-seed Perpetual to book a date with their rivals in the finals.
Titing Manalili closed out a stellar rookie season with 15 points, seven assists and six rebounds rebounds before he headed to the bench in the final moments of the game with leg issues.
Kevin Santos added 14 points and four assists while Jun Roque and Jimboy Estrada added 12 and 10 points apiece for thee Knights.
The scores:
SAN BEDA 83 – Andrada 21, Sajonia 21, Gonzales 19, Puno 7, Celzo 6, Estacio 6, Reyes 3, Lina 0, Etulle 0, Calimag 0
LETRAN 71 – Manalili 15, Santos 14, Roque 12, Estrada 10, Cuajao 8, Buensalida 5, Tapenio 3, Omega 2, Montecillo 2
Quarters: 14-19, 37-39, 65-53, 83-71
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