San Sebastian’s Jimbo Aquino goes for a basket against Mapua’s Mark Sarangay, Jason Pascua and Marc Acosta during their NCAA game yesterday at The Arena in San Juan. The Stags won, 77-74. (BOB DUNGO JR.)

Games Wednesday (The Arena, San Juan)
10 a.m. — EAC vs Perpetual (Jrs)
11: 45 a.m. — AUF vs Arellano (Jrs)
2 p.m. — EAC vs Perpetual (Srs)
4 p.m. — AUF vs Arellano (Srs)

Defending champion San Beda College was again seriously challenged but refused to bend as the Red Lions continued their mastery over the Jose Rizal Heavy Bombers, 96-81, in the 85th NCAA basketball tournament on Monday at the packed The Arena in San Juan.

Rookie ‘import’ Sudan Daniel made it look easy for the Red Lions as he exploded for a career-high 31 points, including 12 in the pivotal fourth to help the Red Lions repeat over the Heavy Bombers in their rematch of last year’s finale.

“This is the biggest game of Sudan this season. He was unstoppable. All we need is give him the ball and nobody can match him,” SBC mentor Frankie Lim said of the 20-year-old Daniel, who capped his brilliant exploits with an electrifying slam off the outstretched arms of Raycon Kabigting that sent their supporters in frenzied celebration.

The 6-foot-8 Daniel, who had seven blocks, ignited a 14-5 run with a jumper in the fourth that turned a slim 74-70 lead to an 88-78 bubble with 2:22 left., enough to seal their eight win in 9 starts.

The Bombers dropped to 7-2 for solo third.

San Beda’s win overshadowed San Sebastian College’s 77-74 win over Mapua that stretched its amazing winning run to eight.

Trailing 77-74 with 11.6 ticks left, the Cardinals had a chance to knot the score with a triple. But Mark Mangahas, the designated three-point shooter in Mapua’s final play, failed to make an attempt after Raymundo and two other Stags defenders clamped down on him as time expired.

First Game (Srs)
SSC 77 — Aquino 22, Abueva 12, Maconocido 10, Bulawan 8, Semira 6, Pascual 5, del Rio 5, Najorda 5, Najorda 5, Raymundo 3, Sangalang 1.
MAPUA 74 — Acosta 16, Cornejo 15, Mangahas 14, Sarangay 13, Guillermo 5, Cinco 4, Pascual 2, Parala 2, Maniego 2, Stevens 1, Espinosa 0.
Quarters: 14-9, 40-27, 62-56, 77-74.

Second Game (Srs)
SAN BEDA 96 — Daniel 31, Lanete 15, Gamalinda 11, dela Rosa 9, Tecson 9, Marcelo 5, Pascual 2, Taganas 2, Tirona 2.
JOSE RIZAL 81 — Hayes 19, Sena 14, Wilson 13, Cagoco 9, Njei 8, Kabigting 7, Bulangis 7, Apinan 2, Agas 2, Agas 0, Salazar 0, Matute 0, Lopez 0.
Quarters: 21-21, 50-42, 68-68, 96-81.