SAN BEDA moved a game closer to winning the NCAA Season 101 championship after routing Letran in Game 1 of the Finals, 89-70, at Araneta Coliseum on Wednesday.

The scoring tandem of Bryan Sajonia and Agjanti Miller paced the Red Lions to a dominant series opener against the Knights.

Sajonia finished with 17 points, six rebounds and three assists while Miller finished just a rebound shy of a double-double of 16 markers and nine boards. Nygel Gonzales also helped San Beda’s cause with 14 points and five assists.

Aside from the Red Lions’ firepower on offense, the Mendiola-based squad also hounded Letran heavily on the defensive end.

“I was happy with how we played defense at the start of the game and especially at the start of the third,” coach Yuri Escueta said.

“We do, however, have to do better in taking care of the ball because we’re giving them opportunities to score and it’s hard to play good defense if we’re careless with the ball.”

After barely leading by three at the end of the first half, 46-43, Escueta’s wards shifted to a whole other gear in the third frame.

The Red Lions gave the Knights hell, limiting them to only five quarter points in the penultimate period.

By the end of the third, San Beda held an insurmountable 68-48 advantage.

Jonathan Manalili turned in another all-around game of 17 points, five assists, four steals and two rebounds but to no avail. Jimboy Estrada and Jun Roque also scattered 14 and 12 points, respectively in the defeat.

San Beda looks to close out Letran on Saturday when Game 2 of the best-of-three series rolls on at the same venue.

The scores:

SAN BEDA (89) – Sajonia 17, Miller 16, Gonzales 14, Estacio 8, Reyes 8, Calimag 7, Celzo 6, Puno 6, Andrada 5, Lina 2, Etulle 0

LETRAN (70) – Manalili 17, Estrada 14, Roque 12, Santos 6, Gammad 6, Omega 4, Buensalida 2, Cuajao 2, Montecillo 2, Tapenio 2, Yusi 2, Gazzingan 1, Rosilio 0

Quarterscores: 29-19, 46-43, 68-48, 89-70