By: Miguel Marco
Leaping from the UAAP to the NCAA, Bryan Sajonia is just one win away from turning that bold move into a championship moment wearing the Red Lions uniform.
After two years with Far Eastern University, Sajonia transferred to San Beda University, serving a one-year residency before suiting up for the Red Lions in Season 100.
For Sajonia, moving to Mendiola wasn’t about leaving something behind — it was about chasing something bigger.
“Sobrang worth it kasi lahat naman ng college player, dream na makakuha ng championship. And sobrang thankful ako na napunta ako sa San Beda and andito kami ngayon sa Finals. Pero sabi ko nga, ‘di pa tapos ang laban,” said Sajonia postgame after dropping 17 points and six rebounds in the 89-70 Game 1 victory against the Letran Knights.
“‘Di pa tapos ang trabaho namin.”
Playing in one of collegiate basketball’s most iconic rivalries, Sajonia prepared not only physically but also mentally for the Season 101 Finals.
“Unang-una nagpahinga talaga ako kasi alam kong nakakapagod yung laro na ‘to. And nag-review ako yung mga viewing namin. Sabi ko, tiwala ako sa sarili ko na papasok yung mga tira ko,” the 25-year-old from Pavia, Iloilo, said.
Despite being San Beda’s top scorer, the 6-foot guard fouled out at the 7:56 mark of the fourth quarter, which he attributed to defensive lapses.
“Kailangan naming maging disiplinado sa depensa namin. Ayun nga, na-fouled out ako, na-fouled out si Jimmy (Reyes). Halos maubusan na kami ng player kanina. Kailangan maging disiplinado pa kami going to Game 2,” said Sajonia, who will join Titan Ultra after the season.
“I think kailangan namin i-review lahat ng mga pagkakamali namin kanina. And siguro more focus ako sa depensa ko. Kasi yun naman talaga yung trabaho dito. And yung offense ko naman, bonus lang para sa akin.”
Janti Miller, who finished with 16 points and nine rebounds, was ejected after receiving two technical fouls, which led to his suspension for Game 2.
Still, Sajonia is confident that San Beda is ready even without the Fil-American star after a dominant Game 1 outing.
“Kailangan may mag-step up sa amin. Nagtitiwala naman ako sa mga kasamahan ko. Nangyari na sa amin nung Benilde na ang kalaban namin na wala si Janti,” Sajonia recalled as Miller did not play in Game 2 of the semis that resulted in a loss.
“And I think ready kami sa ganun bagay. Ready lang kami.”
