SHOWING the heart of a champion, Bryan Sajonia boomed in the game-winning three-pointer as San Beda University nipped rival Letran 66-64 yesterday to get back on track in the 100th NCAA basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan.

A basket by Jimboy Estrada gave Letran a 64-63 lead with 50.8 seconds left before Sajonia sank a dagger of a trey with 41.0 ticks to go.

Fil-Canadian Jomel Puno shone for the Red Lions with a double-double of 22 points and 10 rebounds while Sajonia, big man Daniel Celzo, Menard Songcuya and veteran Yukien Andrada chipped in eight markers each.

San Beda climbed to 4-3 in a tie with Perpetual Help, while snapping Letran’s three-game winning streak.

“Actually, sabi ko nga sa players huwag namin isipin iyon (recent loss), kung ano iyong result kapag natalo kasi parang masyado silang nag-wo-worry, sabi ko isipin niyo iyong opportunity,” Lions coach Yuri Escueta said. “Kapag nanalo so iyon ang sinabi ko sa kanila. Kita naman, at least nagpakita ng effort and energy for today.

“Big win for us. The boys really grinded out. Talagang gusto nilang manalo today,” he added.

Earlier, Jhomel Ancheta took matters into his own hands as College of St. Benilde outlasted San Sebastian College 96-94 in overtime.

The rookie guard, who returned from a one-game suspension, saved the day for the Blazers. He finished the match with five points, but none bigger than a layup that turned out to be the marginal basket.

Tony Ynot led the Blazers with 23 markers, eight rebounds, eight assists, and a steal, while big man Allen Liwag delivered a double-double outing of 17 markers and 11 boards.

Justine Sanchez finished with eight points and 10 rebounds as CSB rose to 6-1.

“I’m not happy at all. This would probably be the worst win in my life. I don’t want to say anything because I’m mad, I’m really mad, that’s an embarrassment. We’re a joke right now. You gave up 31 turnovers, parang ibinibigay namin sa kanila iyong bola,” CSB strategist Charles Tiu said. “Medyo nakakahiya talaga. We can’t make free throws. I don’t know. It’s a (expletive) game for us. We’re lucky we got the win, whatever.”

Escobido bannered the Golden Stags, who fell to 1-6, with a career-high 29 points while Rafael Are had 20 markers. Reggz Gabat had 12 for San Sebastian.

Without veteran Pao Javillonar who was under the weather, Kevin Santos had 18 points for the Knights while Johnsherick Estrada and Deo Cuajao chipped in 16 and 12 markers, respectively, as the Knights fell to solo third with a 5-3 card.