In what turned out to be a one-sided affair between two early favorites, the San Beda Red Lions flexed their might against the Allen Liwag-led Benilde Blazers with a dominant 96-85 win on opening day of the NCAA Season 101 at the Araneta Coliseum. 

The Red Lions relied on a balanced offensive led by team captain Yukien Andrada. The pro-bound senior dropped 11 points, four rebounds, and three dimes on three-of-eight shooting from beyond the arc to win the Best Player of the Game honors. 

Bryan Sajonia top-scored for SBU with 16 points laced with three steals, while 6-foot-4 athletic forward Janti Miller and 5-foot-11 initiator Jimmy Reyes– both offseason recruits debuting for Mendiola’s red-and-white– lived up to the hype with solid contributions across the board.

Miller collected 16 points and six rebounds, while Reyes had an efficient night with 13 markers and five boards on an impressive 75% field goal shooting.

But head coach Yuri Escueta has the entire team to laud. The Red Lions scattered the scoring load with 11 total players registering at least a field goal to help the cause. 

The season-opener dub makes for a terrific start for the redemption-seeking Red Lions– and a vengeful one at that– as it was Benilde that booted them out of competition during their Final Four bout last year. 

On the other side, Justine Sanchez’ 24 points on an efficient 10-of-15 shooting went for naught as the Blazers just could not match San Beda’s firepower.

Reigning NCAA MVP and Defensive Player of the Year Allen Liwag provided decent numbers for the green-and-white, but for the most part struggled to find his tempo as he was held to only 4/13 field goal shooting. 

Benilde’s guard duo of Ian Torres and Jhommel Ancheta had 13 and eight, respectively, while athletic wing Raffy Celiz poured in six points and six boards in his NCAA debut.