Fresh off winning the NCAA Season 101 Defensive Player of the Year award, Jhuniel Dela Rama has parted ways with the San Sebastian Stags and is now heading to the San Beda Red Lions.
A Move Influenced by Robert Bolick
The former Letran Squire said the move was made with his future in mind and was heavily influenced by his idol and mentor, Robert Bolick of the PBA‘s NLEX Road Warriors.
“I just want to improve more and have a better future. Na-inspired din ako mag-San Beda kasi nakita ko na matutulungan po ako nila kagaya ng pag-alaga nila kay Kuya Robert Bolick, na mas nakilala pa niya ang sarili niya sa San Beda. At ang paglipat ko, hindi lang ako ang nagdesisyon nito. Napagdesisyunan din po namin ito ng pamilya ko,” Dela Rama said.
Aside from being Dela Rama’s idol, the NLEX superstar also happens to be from Ormoc City, Leyte, which is the hometown of the incoming Red Lion as well. Bolick is also a three-time NCAA champion with San Beda.
The 20-year-old guard Dela Rama, a member of the NCAA Season 101 Mythical Five, will undergo residency in 2026 before suiting up in NCAA Season 103 in 2027. The highly regarded standout will have three years of eligibility remaining once he becomes eligible to play.
San Beda Reloads with Dela Rama
The San Beda community will have to wait one year before Dela Rama is able to suit up, but his transfer should be welcome news after the departure of prized rookie Agjanti Miller and the graduation of key players like Yukien Andrada. Dela Rama, after all, is a double-double machine, as he put up 13.8 points, 11.1 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 1.6 steals per game in NCAA Season 101.
So, while Dela Rama isn’t as prolific or as explosive a scorer as Miller was, he gets the job done regardless and might actually be the better two-way player. The 6-foot-2 Ormoc native can score inside and out but is also a ferocious and willing defender, and he will surely be one of coach Yuri Escueta’s main cogs starting in Season 103, the year Dela Rama becomes eligible.
