The last ticket of the NCAA Season 101 men’s basketball finals was taken by the San Beda University, all thanks to both Agjanti Miller and Yukien Andrada, as they beat the College of Saint Benilde in the do-or-die Game 3 semifinals on December 7, 2025, at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
Early Fire Power by Josh Cajucom of CSB Blazers
With Agjanti Miller now being available for the San Beda Red Lions after sitting out in Game 2 due to a knee contusion injury, Head Coach Charles Tiu of CSB had one more trick up his sleeve, and that was playing Josh Cajucom in a must-win game.
Right from the get-go, the Blazers dictated the flow. Tony Ynot and Raffy Celis powered Benilde to a 26-21 edge after the opening quarter, countering an early burst from Janti Miller, who tallied 12 points in the first 10 minutes.
CSB kept building momentum in the second frame, riding the aggressive scoring of Josh Cajucom, who registered all 10 of his points there.
Ian Torres then capped the half with a buzzer-beating three-pointer that widened the gap to 45-34, giving the Blazers an 11-point cushion at halftime.
Andrada-Miller-Sajonia Goes Growling in the 2nd Half
Yukien Andrada, Agjanti Miller, and Bryan Sajonia led the Red Lions’ surge during the 3rd quarter as they slowly trimmed the lead of CSB.
Andrada knocked in nine points in the third frame, helping San Beda creep within 56-58 entering the final minutes of the quarter. But CSB answered with back-to-back bombs from Torres and Ynot to extend their hold, until Miller drilled a much-needed triple that brought the margin down to 64-59 entering the last period.
As the fourth quarter opened, Andrada ignited San Beda’s full comeback.
The graduating forward opened the frame with a three-pointer. Nygel Gonzales followed with a three-point play, cutting the Blazers’ lead to 69-67. Andrada then fired another triple to push them ahead momentarily, before Miller hammered down an and-one that officially gave San Beda its first lead since the first quarter, 75-72.
The trio of Miller, Andrada, and Sajonia then combined for a decisive run.
After Torres put the Blazers up 72-67 with a triple, the Lions responded with 11 unanswered points with triples from Andrada and Sajonia plus Miller’s and-one as they took the 78-72 advantage entering the final five minutes.
Anybody’s Ball Game in the Last Minutes of the 4th Quarter
Benilde fought desperately to stay alive. Torres buried a deep three, Ynot kept attacking in transition, and reigning MVP Allen Liwag converted an and-one to pull CSB within a single point, 81-80.
The Blazers had several opportunities to turn the tide, including a potential go-ahead sequence when Liwag attacked the paint in the final minute. But Bismarck Lina stood his ground at the rim, preventing what could have been a game-changing basket.
On the other end, Andrada came through again. Fouled while securing a rebound with 24.8 seconds left, he calmly made both free throws to restore an 84-81 lead.
That proved to be the breathing room San Beda needed, though CSB still had one last chance to force overtime.
The Blazers designed a final play intended for Torres, but after hesitating for several seconds, Ynot ended up hoisting a contested shot that missed. Jhommel Ancheta snared the offensive board, but as he tried to get behind the arc for a final heave, the buzzer sounded, and the Lions erupted in celebration.
FINAL SCORE: CSB BLAZERS 81 – 84 SAN BEDA RED LIONS
Andrada capped the night with 27 points built on seven triples, along with four rebounds. Miller had 26 points, six rebounds, and two steals. Sajonia scored 10 points, six boards, and three assists, while Gonzales contributed seven points and seven assists.
On the opposite side, Ynot paced the Blazers with 18 points, five rebounds, and four assists. Celis added 14, Torres had 12, while Liwag and Cajucom supplied 10 apiece.
Despite leading most of the game, CSB faltered in the final moments, unable to replicate its dramatic Game 2 win where Torres had stunned the Lions with a game-winning floater.
Another Chapter for the Century-old Rivalry: San Beda vs Letrán
As the San Beda University survives a sudden-death series against CSB, they will now meet a very familiar opponent waiting for them in the NCAA Season 101 finals.
Not only did the Colegio de San Juan de Letrán have the luxury of having some extra rest after sweeping the University of Perpetual Help System DALTA last December 5, but they were also in attendance at the Big Dome, watching and scouting for their rivals.
The century-old rivalry between San Beda and Letrán will begin on Wednesday, December 10, at the SMART Araneta Coliseum with the tip-off at 2:00 PM, with the final series being a Best of Three.
Game 2 is scheduled on December 13, and if the series ever goes to a sudden death, Game 3 would be on December 16, as all of the games will be played at Araneta with the game time at 2:00 PM.
