Romwel Anzures

Former San Beda University guard JV Gallego in NCAA Season 99. Angela Davocol/NCAA Philippines.

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<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1784463287476IMG_1344.jpeg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Former San Beda University guard JV Gallego in NCAA Season 99. <em>Angela Davocol/NCAA Philippines. </em></span></span></span>MANILA — An inspired San Beda University booked its place in the Finals of the 19th FilOil Preseason Cup, with the Red Lions dedicating the emotional victory to their fallen brother, JV Gallego.</div><p>The reigning NCAA men&#x27;s basketball champions edged three-time defending FilOil champion University of the Philippines, 93-72, in the semifinals on Sunday.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/basketball/2026/7/19/san-beda-dethrones-up-sets-up-filoil-finals-clash-vs-jru-1951">READ: San Beda dethrones three-time champ UP, sets up FilOil Finals clash vs. JRU</a></div><p>San Beda deputy coach Andre Santos said the win was dedicated to Gallego, who passed away in a vehicular accident early Saturday morning.</p><p>&quot;About 80% of our pregame talk was about JV. Coach Yuri [Escueta] shared his experience with JV,&quot; said Santos.</p><p>Gallego was one of the Red Lions&#x27; veterans during their NCAA Season 99 championship run.</p><p>In 14 appearances that season, Gallego averaged 1.6 points, 1.4 rebounds, and 1.1 assists as a reserve behind the likes of Jacob Cortez and Peter Alfaro.</p><p>Despite his modest numbers, Santos said Gallego&#x27;s impact extended far beyond the stat sheet.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/basketball/2026/7/18/ncaa-champion-former-san-beda-guard-jv-gallego-passes-away-1710">READ: NCAA champion, former San Beda guard JV Gallego passes away</a></div><p>&quot;We looked back on the good memories we had with JV and, most importantly, the story of his sacrifice during our Season 99 championship run,&quot; said Santos. &quot;The biggest lesson we took from that is that he embodied sacrifice. He was such a great inspiration when it came to staying ready.&quot;</p><p>Cortez, who was part of that championship team, also shared a heartfelt tribute to Gallego.</p><p>&quot;I still can&#x27;t believe I&#x27;m making this post,&quot; Cortez wrote. &quot;I&#x27;ll never forget my first day at the San Beda bubble. I didn&#x27;t know anyone, so you and Peter came up to me. Ever since then, I knew I had an older brother who took me under his wing.&quot;</p><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-0" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/Da9ceh8ESKJ/embed/captioned/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=675&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A0%2C%22os%22%3A179540.30000001192%2C%22ls%22%3A179046.30000001192%2C%22le%22%3A179376.80000001192%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="1248" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-0" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><p>&quot;You protected me. You taught me so much on and off the court. Even until now, you would check up on me after games or even on a random day,&quot; he added. &quot;It really hurts to see you go, man. I know you&#x27;ll be with me for the rest of my life.&quot;</p><p>Cortez then expressed his gratitude to Gallego for the impact he had on his life.</p><p>&quot;Rest in peace, my brother. Lucky Lefty. My rookie veteran. I wouldn&#x27;t be who I am today without you in my life,&quot; he wrote. &quot;I love you, brother. Look after me up there.&quot;</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/aAW2yA0H9bI?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>An inspired San Beda University booked its place in the Finals of the 19th FilOil Preseason Cup, with the Red Lions dedicating the emotional victory to their fallen brother, JV Gallego.</p>

An inspired San Beda University booked its place in the Finals of the 19th FilOil Preseason Cup, with the Red Lions dedicating the emotional victory to their fallen brother, JV Gallego.

‘He embodied sacrifice’: Present, former Red Lions pay tribute to JV Gallego

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‘He embodied sacrifice’: Present, former Red Lions pay tribute to JV Gallego

Rom Anzures,

ABS-CBN News

Published July 19, 2026 09:18 PM PHT

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