By: Miguel Caramoan
Janti Miller’s debut in the NCAA Season 101 Seniors Basketball Finals turned memorable in more ways than one.
With his father flying in from Fairfield, California, to watch him for only the second time this season, the San Beda University guard helped steer the Red Lions to a commanding 89-70 win over Colegio de San Juan de Letran in Game 1 on Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
However, the victory was overshadowed by Miller’s abrupt exit from the game.
Miller was ejected after receiving two technical fouls for flopping, one late in the second quarter and another at the 6:16 mark of the fourth.
From his perspective, contact occurred in both instances.
“It’s a flop call, but he pushed me. It is what it is, so let’s see if I can play next game,” he said.
Miller believes neither sequence warranted a technical, though flopping is considered a technical foul under FIBA rules.
In the UAAP, which also adheres to FIBA rules, flopping does not automatically result in a suspension.
In contrast, NCAA rules are more rigid — technical fouls are treated in a black-and-white manner, and two in a game automatically trigger an ejection and a one-game suspension.
“I got two flops and I ain’t get no technicals. I don’t know how flops can be technicals,” he added.
With NCAA commissioner Atty. Rico Quicho confirming that Miller is facing a one-game suspension, the guard now risks missing Saturday’s Game 2. Still, he feels the decision deserves another look.
“My coaches gonna appeal it. The way I went out was kinda sus a little bit, but what can you do? I competed my *** off and I just couldn’t do anything about it,” Miller said.
Offensively, Miller had to adjust. Though he finished with 16 points, he struggled to find rhythm against Letran’s pressure defense, shooting just 31.3-percent from the field.
Thanks to Bryan Sajonia’s 17 points and Nygel Gonzales’ 14 markers, Miller was still able to contribute as a secondary scoring option.
“Just played off-ball and be a decoy out there. They were hounding me and not leaving me, so I sat in the corner and let my team click, and my shots came within the offense,” he explained.
Whether or not he suits up in Game 2, Miller insists his focus hasn’t wavered.
“I’m not worried at all and not worried about how I played today. I’m not worried at all. If they can appeal, I’m playing. Then if I can’t play, I’ll be on the sidelines cheering,” he said, ready to support the Red Lions as they chase their 24th NCAA title.
#WATCH: ‘I AIN’T GOT NO TECHNICAL’
Janti Miller rues league’s house rules that do not distinguish techs, leading to his suspension for Game 2 of the #NCAASeason101 Finals 🦁🏀#ReadMore 👉 https://t.co/JKlpNDkRWW
📹 @miguelcaramoan /Tiebreaker Times pic.twitter.com/ZWaBxQ6j4N
— Tiebreaker Times (@tiebreakertimes) December 10, 2025
