Daily Tribune
Janti Miller takes the spotlight for the nth time by firing 15 points and grabbing eight rebounds in San Beda University’s 65-56 win over JRU on Saturday in the NCAA Season 101 men’s basketball tournament.
Photograph courtesy of GMA Synergy
Games today:
(Filoil EcoOil Centre)
12 p.m. — Perpetual vs Arellano
2:30 p.m. — Letran vs EAC
Rookie sensation Janti Miller is far from done.
The Filipino-American guard caught fire in the crucial stretch to power San Beda University to a 65-56 victory over Jose Rizal University (JRU) in Season 101 National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) men’s basketball tournament at the Filoil EcoOil Centre on Saturday.
Holding onto a slim 59-56 lead, Miller buried back-to-back three-pointers to put the Red Lions’ out of harm’s way and seal their eighth win in 11 games in Group B.
The 21-year-old gunner from Casper College in California finished with a game-high 15 points, eight rebounds and three assists, boosting his status as the hottest newcomer in the country’s oldest collegiate league.
“The confidence is there the whole game. Like I have been saying the whole season, I am more than just a scorer. So if I’m not scoring, I will be doing something else,” the 6-foot-4 Miller said.
“You never know, but if it’s a clutch moment, I would like to have the ball.”
San Beda head coach Yuri Escueta said he is very confident that Miller and the rest of the squad will make their shots, especially when the game is on the line.
“We trust him to make good decisions. I would always tell them that if they’re open, take the shot. Janti had open shots and it’s a good thing he was able to make it,” Escueta said.
“We have full confidence in these guys. They trust each other, and they see how their teammates work in practice.”
Veteran Bryan Sajonia fired 18 points for the Red Lions, who avenged their 66-67 loss to the Heavy Bombers last 10 October at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Allan Laurenaria was the only JRU player to reach double digits with 12 points as they slid down to a 6-6 slate.
Meanwhile, Lyceum of the Philippines University delivered an 88-74 victory over San Sebastian College in the second game.
Gyle Montaño delivered 22 points while Renz Villegas also chipped in 14 points, six rebounds and two steals as the Pirates improved to a 3-8 slate in Group A.
Jhuniel dela Rama led the Stags with 19 points as they slid down to a 3-9 slate.
