Games Today (The Arena, San Juan)
10 a.m. — Perpetual vs Letran (Jrs)
11:45 a.m. — CSB vs San Sebastian (Jrs)
2 p.m. — Perpetual vs Letran (Srs)
4 p.m. — CSB vs San Sebastian (Srs)

San Sebastian and College of St. Benilde break the deadlock on top when they clash today in the 85th NCAA basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan City.

The Stags, who established themselves as the hottest title contender this season after beating reigning champion San Beda last week, face the Blazers at 4 p.m. with both teams seeking to bolt out of a three-way tie with Jose Rizal University. All three steams sport similar 2-0 cards.

University of Perpetual Help Altas and the Letran Knights, meanwhile, duke it out in the opener at 2 p.m. with both squads hoping to barge into the win-column after both dropped their first two games.

Riding high on the crest of their 83-77 triumph over the Red Lions, SSC mentor Ato Agustin expects his boys to come out stronger than ever against the Blazers.

“That win gave my players the confidence. I hope magtuloy-tuloy na ang magandang laro namin,” Agustin, a former PBA MVP, said of their latest win, their first against the Lions after seven games since 2005.

CSB mentor Richard Del Rosario, for his part, said they expect a rough sailing against the Stags.

“They have beaten the defending champion. That win speaks a lot about San Sebastian. We expect a tough game. But we will be ready,” said Del Rosario, who took the coaching reins from Gee Abanilla, who has been tapped to assist coach Siot Tangquingcen at Ginebra in the PBA.