SAN JUAN, Metro Manila — San Beda University Red Lions atoned for its first-day loss with a huge 85-56 rout of listless Emilio Aguinaldo College (EAC) in the 98th National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) men’s basketball tournament at the FilOil EcoOil Center in San Juan City.

With the win, San Beda improved to 1-1 while EAC dropped to 0-2.

Amazing as they are this time around, the Red Lions, who lost to Mapua University during their debut game, buried eight three-pointers in the first quarter even as they held the Generals to just seven markers, 32-7.

San Beda will try to make it two wins in a row when it faces Lyceum of the Philippines University (LPU) this Saturday, September 17, while EAC tries to barge into the winning column as it battles Jose Rizal University (JRU)on the same day.

Meanwhile, in the second game of the day, San Sebastian College (SSC) drew first blood as the Stags toppled the Arellano University (AU) Chiefs from a title contending status with a revealing 60-51 win to launch its own championship bid for this year’s NCAA championship crown.

The win catapulted SSC into an early four-way logjam at the top with the Mapua Cardinals, College of Saint Benilde Blazers, and University of Perpetual Help Altas.

“The team gets its motivation from our defense because we believe defense wins the championship,” SSC coach Egay Macaraya enthused after their triumph over Arellano.

The scores:

San Beda (85) — Kwekuteye 15, Andrada 13, Ynot 12, Sanchez 9, Cortez 8, Alfaro 7, Cuntapay 6, Visser 6, Bahio 3, Tagala 3, Llarena 3, Cometa 0, Jopia 0, Tagle 0.

EAC (56) — Tolentino 16, Gurtiza 10, Luciano 7, Cosejo 6, Robin 5, Cosa 3, Bajon 3, Maguliano 2, Dominguez 2, Bacud 2, Liwag 0, An. Doria 0, Balowa 0, Ad. Doria 0, Umpad 0.

Quarterscores: 32-7, 55-17, 73-41, 85-56

SSC-R (60) –

Altamirano 10, Villapando 9, Yambing 9, Felebrico 7, Cosari 6, Una 6, Sumoda 4, Are 3, Shanoda 2, Escobido 2, Desoyo 2, Suico 0

Arellano (51) –

Doromal 15, Flores 12, Abastillas 8, Talampas 8, Oliva 2, Mallari 2, Tolentino 2, Sunga 2, Menina 0, Oftana 0, Mantua 0

Quarterscores: 10-12; 27-27; 50-38; 60-51