MANILA, Philippines – San Beda guards Dan Sara and Robert Bolick earned praise from head coach Jamike Jarin after they spearheaded the Red Lions' 88-85 victory over the Arellano Chiefs in Game 1 of the NCAA Season 92 Finals on Thursday.

Bolick continued his tremendous play in the postseason, finishing with 24 points and 10 rebounds while scoring the go-ahead basket and playing solid defense on Arellano star Jiovani Jalalon.

Meanwhile, team captain Dan Sara struggled from the field, making only one of ten field goals. But he made up for it with his work on the boards as he grabbed 13 rebounds while also dishing out 11 assists – six more than Jalalon did.

"I have to take my hat off to captain Dan Sara," Jarin said after the game. "This is what I was expecting of him, medyo na-derail lang because of his injury."

"Now, he's coming into age," he added. "Start of the season, he was a young man trying to finish college career. But no matter what happens this season, he's gonna come out as a matured man. He's not young anymore."

"He's ready to conquer the world, whatever is at stake for him. I'm blessed for having him as our captain ball."

• READ: Bolick wills San Beda one step closer to 9th title in 11 years

Sara, who struggled with injuries throughout the season, is grateful for the trust and patience that Jarin placed in him even as he missed three games halfway through the tournament.

"He's so patient with me," Sara said of his coach. "We have an up-and-down relationship, kasi nga I got injured, and nahirapan ako bumalik. But I'm glad to say, and I am proud to say na he's my coach. He's my mentor, and he's so patient with me."

Bolick, meanwhile, is justifying an early morning call that he placed to the guard after the player decided to leave La Salle.

According to Bolick, shortly after deciding to leave La Salle, he received a phone call at 5:00 a.m. and initially decided not to answer. But Jarin kept calling, and eventually, when Bolick picked up, the San Beda coach told him that he was always welcome in Mendiola.

"Masaya ako kasi tinanggap nila ako, kahit bench player lang ako sa La Salle," said Bolick. "Di ko talaga matanggap 'yung achievement ko ngayon, kung wala ang teammates ko."

"So pag sinabi na, 'ang galing mo kanina,' sabi ko, sa teammates ko din kasi grabe 'yung binigay nila sa akin na kumpyansa," he added. "'Di naman ako magkaka-ganito kung wala sila eh."

Jarin was full of praise for Bolick, saying that he knew what the player was capable of even as he was stuck on the pine at La Salle. "I really saw what he can do," he said.

"He wasn't really much of a scorer, but I saw his fighting heart, the warrior in him. So I really wanted him," said Jarin.

He was especially proud of how Bolick was able to more than hold his own against Jalalon, who Jarin has repeatedly referred to as the best point guard in college basketball throughout the course of the season.

"I know he's tired," said Jarin of Bolick. "Nobody can guard Jalalon, 'di ba? Nobody. But he was there every play. He was there, and he even scored points, 'di ba? So he just needs to rest his body and give it another run at the Bus Driver."

Yet Jarin made it clear that credit goes to all the 15 players in his team, even those who barely saw action in the up-and-down contest.

"I have to commend all 15 young men who were there on the bench, playing or not playing, but just ready to play," said the coach. "I have to give credit to all of them."

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