Camille Naredo

San Beda celebrates after winning the NCAA Season 101 men's basketball championship, December 13, 2025 at the Araneta Coliseum. Angela Davocol, NCAA Philippines

San Beda celebrates after winning the NCAA Season 101 men's basketball championship, December 13, 2025 at the Araneta Coliseum.

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NCAA Season 101

Romwel Anzures

ABS-CBN News

<div style="line-height:1.5"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1765620940851IMG_5357.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="San Beda celebrates after winning the NCAA Season 101 men&#x27;s basketball championship, December 13, 2025 at the Araneta Coliseum. Angela Davocol, NCAA Philippines" width="960"/>San Beda celebrates after winning the NCAA Season 101 men&#x27;s basketball championship, December 13, 2025 at the Araneta Coliseum. Angela Davocol, NCAA Philippines</div>MANILA (UPDATED) — The San Beda University Red Lions are kings of NCAA men’s basketball for a record-extending 24th time. The crown is back in Mendiola as Yuri Escueta and his men dealt their rival Colegio de San Juan de Letran another heartbreak with an 83-71 victory in Game 2 of the Season 101 Finals on Saturday at the Araneta Coliseum in Cubao to complete the sweep. “Hats off to our players, especially our veterans, for stepping up and leading this squad back to the championship,” said Escueta, who saw Finals MVP Bryan Sajonia and veteran gunner Yuki Andrada rise to the occasion in the clincher. Sajonia fired 21 points, nine rebounds, and a crucial three-pointer on his way to Finals MVP honors, while Andrada also finished with 21 points built on four three-point bombs, along with five rebounds, three blocks, three assists, and two steals. Those performances allowed San Beda to claim its 11th title against Letran in their 18 all-time Finals meetings, even as the Red Lions played without star rookie Janti Miller, who served a one-game suspension. Fortunately for San Beda, Sajonia delivered when it mattered most. With the Knights threatening a comeback in what had become a four-point contest late in the fourth period, the 6-foot guard drilled a crucial three-pointer with under two minutes left to extend the lead to 76-69 and create much-needed separation. Letran still had 1:57 to respond, but Deo Cuajao missed a rushed attempt from beyond the arc, while Nygel Gonzales lived up to Escueta’s praise as the league’s “Best Point Guard” by delivering the closing blows to finally shut the door on the Knights. “This was my dream,” said Sajonia, a former Far Eastern University guard. “Galing yun sa confidence na binibigay sa akin ng teammates and coaches ko. Every time na nasa akin yung bola, hinahayaan lang nila ako magdesisyon.” In addition to Sajonia’s heroics, another strong third-quarter surge proved pivotal for the Red Lions, allowing them to exorcise the ghosts of their Finals losses to Letran in 2015 and 2019. Trailing 39-41 at halftime, Andrada caught fire early in the third period, knocking down two triples during a 9-0 run that pushed San Beda ahead, 48-41. The surge mirrored their Game 1 performance, when they unleashed a 22-5 third-quarter run, with both bursts paving the way to victory. Gonzales finished with 19 points, four assists, and three rebounds, while Jomel Puno delivered a gritty seven-point, 14-rebound outing with six assists. Joe Celzo added six points, and Penny Estacio and Jimmy Reyes knocked down timely triples to chip in six and three points, respectively. “Nanood lang ako sa kanila, and they are the ones who really wanted this championship,” said Escueta, now a two-time NCAA champion coach, as San Beda secured its first Finals victory over Letran since 2013. On the other hand, Titing Manalili wrapped up his rookie season in the seniors ranks with 15 points, seven assists, six rebounds, and a steal, absorbing his first Finals defeat in the NCAA after winning both of his championship appearances with the Letran Squires. Kevin Santos backed him up with 14 points and four steals, while Jun Roque ended his one-and-done season for the Knights with 12 points, all from three-point range, to go with four rebounds and a steal. Jimboy Estrada added 10 points, six assists, and five rebounds. Unfortunately for the Muralla-based faithful, Letran could not sustain its early 23-14 lead, ultimately resulting in Allen Ricardo’s squad absorbing a sweep despite entering the Finals riding a six-game winning streak. The Scores:  San Beda 83 – Andrada 21, Sajonia 21, Gonzales 19, Puno 7, Celzo 6, Estacio 6, Reyes 3, Lina 0, Etulle 0, Calimag 0 . Letran 71 – Manalili 15, Santos 14, Roque 12, Estrada 10, Cuajao 8, Buensalida 5, Tapenio 3, Omega 2, Montecillo 2. Quarterscores: 14-19, 37-39, 65-53, 83-71.

#NCAASeason101 || The San Beda University Red Lions are kings of NCAA men’s basketball for a record-extending 24th time. #NCAAFinals

#NCAASeason101 || The San Beda University Red Lions are kings of NCAA men’s basketball for a record-extending 24th time. #NCAAFinals

NCAA: San Beda deals rival Letran heartbreak for Season 101 championship glory

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NCAA: San Beda deals rival Letran heartbreak for Season 101 championship glory

Rom Anzures,

ABS-CBN News

Published December 13, 2025 04:01 PM PHT

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Updated December 14, 2025 09:02 AM PHT

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Basketball

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NCAA Season 101

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