CHICAGO - The early Saturday morning news must have felt like a sip of black coffee that jolted the San Beda hoops community.
Janti Miller has left the Red Lions' lair.
And doing so through an Instagram post without giving his team a heads-up added a tinge of insult to the huge injury.
READ Janti 'refuses to play in NCAA' in farewell message to San Beda
"I cannot comment yet because he hasn't officially said goodbye to us. We were just as surprised with his post," a team official told me.
The Red Lions are optimistic of a reunion. They could also be just in shock and in denial.
From what I gleamed, though, the NCAA's most prolific Season 101 scorer is as gone as Elvis and he ain't coming back to the building.
NO SOUR GRAPES, JUST GRIPES.
And Miller leaves the NCAA, I am told, dripping with more grievances than a disgruntled, low-paid employee.
As I had previously reported, he was unhappy for not being a full-time starter early in Season 101.
And he was "pissed off" for not being recognized as either Rookie of the Year or MVP despite a dominant season where he averaged 20.3 points and 6.4 rebounds per game.
Look, there's no question San Beda was loaded, but if the Red Lions were One Direction, Janti was Harry Styles.
While the NCAA competed in smaller venues such as the Rizal Coliseum, Ninoy Aquino Stadium and FilOil Centre, their rival league showcased its product at shiny enclaves such as the Mall of Asia Arena and the iconic Araneta Coliseum.
The desire to excel on that grander stage and compete against, arguably, better talent and bigger names, helped spur Janti's exit from Mendiola.
BUT WHERE TO?
La Salle, sources told me, already has a lucrative offer in perks and bonuses on the table. They are a few strides ahead in the race for the 6-foot-5 guard.
Ateneo is out.
The Blue Eagles made a pitch, a source familiar with the situation said. But the class work required at the Jesuit school would mortify even the most diligent student.
The UP Fighting Maroons are expected to meet Janti in Sacramento, California at the end of January, the source added.
With their vast resources, winning tradition and a golden coach in Goldwyn Monteverde, UP has a great shot at snaring Miller.
The courtship will play out in the next few weeks but by February, a decision will be made.
Miller will look awesome in green, but man, the idea of him playing alongside Veejay Pre down the road is absolutely divine.
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