Bryan Sajonia was initially brought in as replacement player for San Beda University, but the Red Lions soon discovered he was much more than that.
The 25-year-old shooting guard left Far Eastern University in 2023 and was recruited by San Beda head coach Yuri Escueta. He was brought in to fill the void left behind by Tony Ynot, who alongside Justine Sanchez and Gab Cometa had transferred to De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde.
Since then, Sajonia had done more than just make up for Ynot’s absence.
"Of course, I know him from FEU. We knew we needed to fill in the spot that Tony left. If Tony didn’t leave, we wouldn’t get Bryan because I don’t want to overlap ‘yung recruitment namin," Escueta shared on Saturday.
"But we needed Bryan when Tony left and more than a replacement, I got more than ‘yung iniisip ko. I wouldn’t say better, but champion na siya ngayon."
(Of course, I know him from FEU. We knew we needed to fill in the spot that Tony left. If Tony didn't leave, we wouldn't get Bryan because I don't want to overlap with our recruitment. But we needed Bryan when Tony left and more than a replacement, I got more than I thought I would. I wouldn't say better, but he's a champion now.)
In the biggest game of his collegiate career, he made the big shots to steer the Red Lions back to the NCAA throne with a sweep of rival Colegio de San Juan de Letran in the Season 101 finals.
Without Janti Miller due to suspension, the Red Lions had to rely on someone else to carry the team in Game 2 against a Knights squad aiming to drag the series to a decider.
Sajonia heeded the call.
The Knights mounted a comeback late in the fourth when Jimboy Estrada hit a layup and Deo Cuajao knocked down a three-pointer to pull within four, 69-73.
But Sajonia crushed Letran’s comeback hopes, sinking an isolation three-pointer over the outstretched arms of Kevin Santos just a second after the two-minute warning before Nygel Gonzales finished it off with seven straight points en route to an 83-71 championship-sealing victory.
"‘Yung una kasi nag-switch si (Aaron) Buensalida sa akin and pinasa ko tapos hindi na-convert tapos next play, sa timeout sabi ni Coach Yuri ‘pag nag-switch kunin ko na, sayo na, atakihin mo na," Sajonia told GMA News Online on that dagger triple.
"And siguro ‘yung confident lang na binibigay sa’kin 'yung dahilan kaya na-shoot ko 'yun."
(At first, Buensalida switched on me and I a passed it and we weren't able to convert. On the next play, in the timeout, Coach Yuri said that when the switch happens, I should take it, it's mine, I should attack. And I guess the way they gave me that shot confidently is the reason I was able to make it.)
Sajonia would eventually be crowned as the Finals MVP after finishing with 21 points, nine rebounds, two assists, and one steal in the clincher. Before that, he also poured 17 markers, six boards, and three dimes in the series opener they won with an 89-70 blowout.
And this just proved that diamonds, as Sajonia showed, reveal their brilliance when it matters most.
"Wala akong masabi pero sobrang thankful and grateful ako na narating ko ‘yung gusto kong marating, na to become a champion talaga," Sajonia added.
"Tumaas din 'yung pangarap ko dito kasi mataas din 'yung standards sa San Beda, kailangan champion."
(I'm speechless but I'm so thankful and grateful that I was able to reach what I wanted to reach, and that's to become a champion. My dreams were big because the standards at San Beda are high. It has to be the championship.)
—JMB, GMA Integrated News
