Romwel Anzures

San Beda University’s Jomel Puno in the 19th FilOil Preseason Cup. Handout photo.

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<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1782541820120DSC_6241.jpeg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/>San Beda University’s Jomel Puno in the 19th FilOil Preseason Cup. Handout photo.MANILA — As San Beda University looks to fill the void left by Janti Miller&#x27;s departure and Nygel Gonzales&#x27; ACL injury, two-time champion Jomel Puno has returned to bolster the Red Lions&#x27; NCAA Season 102 title defense.</div>“Having Jom is always an advantage,” said Red Lions head coach Yuri Escueta as Puno returned to action in the 19th FilOil Preseason Cup.It was in March when Puno previously announced that he would be forgoing his final playing year in the grand old league, with the 6-foot-6 forward eyeing other opportunities while also focusing on finishing his degree, as he was still enrolled at San Beda.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/basketball/2026/3/16/ncaa-another-red-lion-exits-as-jomel-puno-leaves-san-beda-2350">READ: Another Red Lion exits as Jomel Puno leaves San Beda</a></div>Puno then briefly played for Gilas Pilipinas 3x3 in the FIBA Manila Challenger last May. He was also part of the San Juan Knights’ pool for the 2025-26 season of the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) but was not signed to an official contract.But as San Beda’s off-season woes worsened, with Gonzales’ ACL tear forcing him to sit out the entirety of Season 102, Puno knew that the Red Lions would need a veteran to bolster their roster.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/basketball/2026/6/11/san-beda-s-nygel-gonzales-out-for-ncaa-season-102-due-to-acl-tear-1428">READ: Nygel Gonzales out for NCAA Season 102 due to ACL tear</a></div>“Me being more of a leader, I think we can improve as a team,” said Puno, who has been averaging 10 points, six rebounds, 1.5 assists, and a steal in two games since returning while also changing his jersey number from No. 1 to No. 75.For Escueta, however, it is more than Puno’s athleticism and talent that makes the Fil-Canadian’s return welcome.“His length and agility are a huge advantage for us. So coming into this season, more responsibility lies with him. Notjust inside the basketball court, but also on the leadership side,” said Escueta.Puno will be joining the likes of holdovers Zedjay Etulle, Bismarck Lina, Jimmy Reyes, RC and Richi Calimag, Penny Estacio, and JC Bonzalida.Key additions Aldous Torculas, Daniel Marcelo, Maco Dabao, and Andrei Ugaddan are also expected to add more firepower as the Red Lions seek their third NCAA title in four years.But even with Puno and company still being a powerhouse on paper, Escueta maintains that they are nowhere near the deadly form that allowed them to rule Season 101.“It’s a big advantage having him back, but I wouldn’t say that we have the ‘llamado’ title,” he said. “Losing Nygel is really big. I would have said that we&#x27;re at 80% of making the Final Four, but losing Nygel is really a big disadvantage for us.”San Beda will return to action on Monday, July 6, in a Season 101 Finals rematch against Colegio de San Juan de Letran at 3 p.m.The Red Lions will then conclude their elimination-round campaign the day after against Mapua University at 3 p.m. before heading into the crossover quarterfinals on Friday, July 10.

As San Beda University looks to fill the void left by Janti Miller's departure and Nygel Gonzales' ACL injury, two-time champion Jomel Puno has returned to bolster the Red Lions' NCAA Season 102 title defense.

As San Beda University looks to fill the void left by Janti Miller's departure and Nygel Gonzales' ACL injury, two-time champion Jomel Puno has returned to bolster the Red Lions' NCAA Season 102 title defense.

NCAA: Jomel Puno returns for one last ride with San Beda

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NCAA: Jomel Puno returns for one last ride with San Beda

Rom Anzures,

ABS-CBN News

Published June 27, 2026 02:56 PM PHT

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