On the morning of December 13, the University of Perpetual Help System DALTA successfully gets a podium finish as they beat the College of Saint Benilde in the bronze medal game while in the afternoon, the San Beda University sweeps Colegio de San Juan de Letrán in Game 2 of the NCAA Season 101 men’s basketball finals at the SMART Araneta Coliseum in Cubao, Quezon City.
Patrick Sleat Goes Berzerk to get the Bronze Against the Blazers
Entering the bronze medal match, both Tony Ynot and Allen Liwag didn’t suit up for the CSB Blazers, while the Perpetual Altas decided to play all of their players.
The Altas came out aggressively early, with Shawn Orgo and veteran guard Patrick Sleat setting the tone in the opening half. Orgo knocked down a pair of three-pointers while Sleat orchestrated the offense, allowing Perpetual to stay a step ahead of Benilde.
The Blazers stayed within striking distance behind steady inside play, and the Altas carried only a narrow 42-40 advantage into halftime.
Benilde refused to fold coming out of the break, matching Perpetual’s intensity in the third quarter. The Blazers leaned on Anton Eusebio, who consistently challenged the Altas on both ends, as they trimmed the deficit and kept the contest tight. By the end of the period, Perpetual’s lead stood at just six, setting up a tense final frame.
The Altas, however, seized full control in the fourth quarter. LA Casinillo sparked the decisive run, scoring seven early points in the period as Perpetual quickly stretched the margin to 74-66.
From there, sophomore standout Mark Gojo Cruz took over, delivering timely baskets down the stretch. Cruz scored seven of the Altas’ final eight points, effectively shutting the door on any Benilde comeback attempt.
FINAL SCORE: CSB BLAZERS 75 – 87 PERPETUAL ALTAS
Red Lions Strike First as Letran Sets the Early Tone
Colegio de San Juan de Letran came out sharp in Game 2 of the NCAA Season 101 men’s basketball Finals, dictating the pace early and building momentum behind aggressive drives and interior attacks.
The Knights even established a nine-point cushion in the opening period and continued to control stretches of the first half, leaning on rookie Jonathan Manalili and veteran Kevin Santos to keep San Beda on its heels.
Despite Bryan Sajonia’s strong start, Letran held its ground and went into the break with a slim edge, leading 39-37 at halftime.
The Knights’ early dominance was especially notable as they repeatedly challenged San Beda inside, momentarily masking the absence of suspended Red Lions star Janti Miller.
Third-Quarter Surge Turns the Tide
As in Game 1, San Beda flipped the switch after halftime. Trailing by two, the Red Lions unleashed a blistering third-quarter run fueled by perimeter shooting and renewed defensive intensity.
Yuki Andrada sparked the charge, burying multiple three-pointers as San Beda stormed ahead behind a decisive 28-14 frame.
The surge erased Letran’s early advantage and turned it into a commanding 65-53 lead entering the final period.
San Beda’s ability to stretch the floor and force stops mirrored their dominant third-quarter showing in the series opener, once again putting the Knights in catch-up mode.
Knights’ Last Push Meets Championship Poise
Letran refused to fade quietly. Early in the fourth, the Knights strung together baskets to pull within striking distance, trimming the gap to five after a Jun Roque triple and later closing in at 69-73 following another long-range shot with 2:51 remaining.
But every rally met a calm response from the Red Lions.
Sajonia delivered the defining blow with a deep three-pointer with under two minutes left, restoring separation and igniting a closing run.
Nygel Gonzales then sealed the outcome, calmly knocking down the final points as San Beda closed the game with championship composure.
FINAL SCORE: LETRAN KNIGHTS 71 – 83 SAN BEDA RED LIONS
Banner No. 24 Raised at the Big Dome
Sajonia finished with 21 points and nine rebounds to earn Finals MVP honors, capping a consistent series in which he averaged 19 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 2.5 assists.
Andrada matched Sajonia’s 21 points in his final NCAA game, adding a fitting chapter before turning professional. Gonzales chipped in 19 points, while Jomel Puno anchored the interior with 14 rebounds, six assists, and gritty defense.
Head coach Yuri Escueta gets his second championship in four years after being appointed back in 2022 during NCAA’s Season 98.
He led the Red Lions to their 23rd title back in 2023, beating the Mapúa University Cardinals in three games.
Heartbreak for Letran, Legacy for San Beda
Manalili led the Knights with 15 points, seven assists, and six rebounds, with Santos adding 14 and Roque contributing 12.
Though Letran entered the Finals riding a six-game winning streak, the Knights could not sustain their early control once San Beda caught fire after halftime.
San Beda completed a sweep, reclaimed the NCAA crown as it brought the hardware back to Mendiola, extending its record as the league’s most successful program and marking its first Finals triumph over Letran since 2013.
