Games on Monday (The Arena, San Juan City)
10 a.m. — San Sebastian vs EAC (Jrs)
12 noon — San Beda vs CSB (Jrs)
2 p.m. — San Sebastian vs EAC (Srs)
4 p.m. — San Beda vs CSB (Srs)

San Beda College, fresh from conquering what many perceived its fiercest rival, tries to add the lowly College of St. Benilde to its growing list of victims when they clash on Monday in the 86th NCAA basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan City.

The Red Lions devoured the defending champion San Sebastian Stags, 88-76, in a victory that did not only avenge their finals defeat last season, but also allowed them to close out the first round eliminations with an amazing eight-game sweep last Wednesday.

Monday, the Lions hope to begin their second round campaign in similar fashion as they go for their ninth straight victory against the Blazers at 4 p.m.

Reeling from their first defeat in eight matches, the Stags try to get back on the winning track against the Emilion Aguinaldo College Generals at 2 p.m.

In a game billed as the preview of their projected finals rematch, the Lions made it look easy as they posted leads as high as 18 points as they practically dominated the Stags in almost all aspects of the game.

The Stags ended the Red Lions’ three-year reign last year by sweeping San Beda in a best-of-three-title series.

Credit should go to American behemoth Sudan Daniel, who played true to form by hauling down season-best 19 rebounds and 14 points, including a double-handed slam that electrified the 6,000-strong fans.

Ecstatic over the win, San Beda coach Frankie Lim is getting thirsty for more.

“I told my boys ‘I want you guys to be happy for this win. But don’t be too happy because this victory will not mean anything if you don’t win the championship. You don’t work so hard to end up in the second place’,” said Lim, who is also expected to draw firepower from Jake Pascual, Garvo Lanete, Dave Marcelo and Fil-Aussie Anthony Semerad.

San Beda will be up against a Carlo Lastimosa-led CSB side that is hoping to get something out of a 79-70 triumph over winless Perpetual Help (0-8) last week – a win that somehow breathed new life to its flickering Final Four hopes with a 2-6 (win-loss) card.