Games Today (The Arena, San Juan)
10 a.m. — SSC-R vs San Beda (Jrs)
11:45 a.m. — Letran vs Arellano (Jrs)
2 p.m. — SSC vs San Beda (Srs)
4 p.m. — Letran vs Arellano (Srs)

San Beda College and guest team Arellano University hope to sustain their fiery start as they gun for win No.2 against separate rivals today in the 85th NCAA basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan City.

Coming off an impressive 85-52 win over Mapua in the opening day last Saturday, the four-peat seeking Red Lions are slightly favored over the San Sebastian College Stags when they clash at 2 p.m.

The Chiefs, who made a lot of heads turn when they ripped fellow guest team Emilio Aguinaldo College, 80-62, last Monday, go up against the rookie-laden Letran Knights at 4 p.m.

In their last meeting in the previous season, the Lions foiled the Stags’ outright entry to the semifinals by snapping the latter’s eight-game win streak. That loss led to the Stags’ failure to barge into the Final Four for the third straight time.

Despite the virtual edge in their head-to-head encounter, SBC mentor Frankie Lim is not taking for granted the Stags of new mentor and former PBA cager Ato Agustin, who replaced multi-titled PBL coach Jorge Gallent this season.

“This win (against Mapua) is a good sign that we’ve prepared well for the season. But I think we have to watch out for (Jose Rizal and) San Sebastian. Malalakas na teams yan. They are the teams na malalakas during the pre-season,” said Lim of the Stags, who are likewise fresh off a 76-64 triumph over Perpetual Help also during the opener.

Sudan Daniel, the 6-foot-8 American behemoth, is again expected to lead the assault of the Lions after knocking down impressive numbers – 13 points, nine rebounds, five blocks, two assists and two slam dunks – during his debut against the Cardinals.

Aside from Daniel, Lim should also rely on his holdovers skipper Bam Gamalinda, Jake Pascual, Garvo Lanete and Anjo Caram who also contributed immensely to the Lions’ roaring start.

Aside from eyeing their second wins, the Lions and the Chiefs are also seeking an early share of the lead as they try to bolt out of a five-way logjam at 1-0 record alongside the Stags, the Blazers and the Heavy Bombers.