Janti Miller was the undisputed go-to guy of San Beda University in its championship run in the NCAA Season 101 seniors’ basketball tournament.
Now that Miller has transferred to De La Salle University in the UAAP, former Centro Escolar University standout Daniel Marcelo is ready to take on the responsibility of being the Red Lions’ scoring leader.
Marcelo, who transferred to San Beda in January 2025, will be eligible in Season 102, where the Red Lions will eye a second straight title.
“It’s just what I’ve been saying before, it’s just the next man up mentality,” said the Fil-Canadian combo guard on Saturday after San Beda’s 82-79 win over Letran to advance to the NSAC College Basketball Campus Tour semifinals.
“I’m blessed to be able to play the game I love and to be able to play for San Beda. It means the most to me and the San Beda community.”
Miller delivered an outstanding season in his lone year with the Red Lions, leading the team in scoring in the elimination round with a 19.77-point average in 13 games. Eventual Finals MVP Bryan Sajonia was the next highest scorer with a 12.1 average.
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Marcelo, however, has proven that he can light up the scoreboard as well, just as he did against the Knights.
He unloaded 21 first-half points on a blistering 5-of-7 shooting from beyond the arc to help the Red Lions secure the victory in extra time, despite being limited to just one point in the second half.
JC Bonzalida and Jimmy Reyes then took over the scoring mantle in the second half to help San Beda escape their NCAA rivals.
For Marcelo, that’s the beauty of San Beda.
“Just playing within the system. I believe that I’ll get my shots within the system and also trusting my teammates where I need to be, and I trust them that they’ll find me on the court,” he said.
“That’s great. That’s how we build our team chemistry, just trusting one another. You know, one man down, next man up,” Marcelo added, praising his teammates who stepped up in the second half.
