Heart of a Lion

MANILA, Philippines — The San Beda Red Lions can lay claim to being NCAA senior basketball’s greatest of all time.

It was validated by the Lions’ 83-71 bashing of the Letran Knights yesterday, completing a two-game sweep of the Season 101 title series and a league-best 24th championship before a sea of red and blue at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Not even the absence of its super rookie Agjanti Miller, who served a one-game suspension after being ejected in its Game 1 win, slowed down a San Beda side that had established itself even further as the most successful college program in the league.

San Beda has now built a four-title lead over its closest pursuer – Letran.

Yukien Andrada, Bryan Sajonia and Nygel Gonzales stepped up in the absence of Miller and fired 21, 21 and 19 points, respectively.

Sajonia ended up snaring the Finals MVP in the process, thanks mainly to his clutch effort the whole series.

Earlier, Perpetual Help downed St. Benilde, 87-75, to clinch third place.

In the individual race, CSB’s Allen Liwag grabbed his second straight MVP plum after averaging 15.71 points, nine rebounds, two assists and a block a game.

Liwag was joined by Miller San Sebastian’s Jhuniel dela Rama, and Letran’s Kevin Santos and Titing Manalili in the First Mythical Team.

But none of them shone the brightest than these mighty roaring Lions that showed up in Game 2 and went all out to win it all.

Triumphant San Beda coach Yuri Escueta pointed to the heavens when victory was in the bag and later admitted he’s thankful to God and his late former San Beda high coach Ato Badolato.

And while the Lions were in jubilation, the Knights, including their best player in Manalili, were left in tears, after letting the one get away.

If there’s any consolation, Letran won the juniors crown, its 15th, following a 91-88 overtime triumph over Arellano U.