‘Easy fit’: Sajonia shines in NCAA debut as San Beda gets title defense rolling

MANILA, Philippines – Bryan Sajonia looked right at home at San Beda as he catapulted the Red Lions to a rousing start in their title-retention bid.

Sajonia shone in his San Beda debut, netting 18 points and 5 rebounds in a 79-63 demolition of Lyceum in the opening game of the NCAA Season 100 men’s basketball tournament at the Mall of Asia Arena on Saturday, September 7.

A transferee from UAAP school FEU, Sajonia proved to be a picture of efficiency, posting a plus-minus of +27 in 16 minutes off the bench.

“The reason why we got him was because of what he can do. Knowing Bryan, whatever he can do, be it rebounding, assisting, or scoring, he’ll do it,” said Red Lions head coach Yuri Escueta in a mix of Filipino and English.

“But what we saw as his biggest strength is his defense. I think he was able to do a good job defensively guarding the shooters of LPU.”

That defense rubbed off on the rest of San Beda as the Red Lions kept the Pirates scoreless in the last five minutes of the first half.

Down 11-31 in the second quarter, Lyceum fought back and unleashed an 18-2 rally capped by a Mclaude Guadaña three-pointer to pull within 29-33.

But the Pirates fired blanks for the remainder of the period and witnessed San Beda pull away again, with Sajonia scoring 4 straight points to end an 11-0 run that restored order for the Red Lions, who entered the break up 44-29.

“It is easy to fit Bryan into the team because of his talent, skill level, and the tenacious defense that he has,” said Escueta.

Andrada backstopped Sajonia with 13 points and 6 rebounds, James Payosing and RC Calimag added 8 points each, while Jomel Puno chimed in 6 points, 9 rebounds, and 2 steals.

Nygel Gonzales added 5 points and 8 rebounds as San Beda beat Lyceum for the fourth straight time, with the Red Lions overcoming the Pirates’ twice-to-beat advantage in the Final Four last season on the way to the crown.

Guadaña paced Lyceum with 22 points and 9 rebounds, while John Barba fired 13 points.

The Pirates failed to hit their mark, going 29% (20-of-69) from the field, 19% (6-of-31) from three-point land, and 65% (17-of-26) from the free throw line.

The Scores

San Beda 79 – Sajonia 18, Andrada 13, Payosing 8, Rc. Calimag 8, Bonzalida 7, Puno 6, Gonzales 5, Songcuya 5, Estacio 3, Jalbuena 2, Celzo 2, Royo 2, Ri. Calimag 2, Tagle 0, Culdora 0.

Lyceum 63 – Guadana 22, Barba 13, Villegas 8, Montano 5, Bravo 5, Cunanan 3, Moralejo 2, Palingayan 2, Aviles 2, Panelo 1, Paulo 0, Paulo 0, Gordon 0, Penafiel 0, Caduyac 0, Daileg 0.

Quarters: 29-11, 44-29, 59-44, 79-63.

– Rappler.com