MANILA, Philippines - The much-anticipated showdown between NCAA rivals San Sebastian Stags and San Beda Red Lions didn't disappoint.

The top two seeds battled it out in a highly-physical match on Wednesday.

After a close first quarter, the Red Lions buckled down on defense to make some distance between them and the defending champions.

The first half ended with San Beda on top 39-31.

The Red Lions continued to pull away in the third and countered all of the Stags' comeback attempts in the second half.

San Beda won over San Sebastian, 88-76.

Sudan Daniel had a dominating performance with 14 points, 20 rebounds and 3 blocks, while teammate Rome dela Rosa added 11.

With the win, San Beda completed a sweep of the first round of eliminations while handing San Sebastian its first loss of the season.

Earlier on Wednesday, the Jose Rizal University (JRU) Heavy Bombers outlasted the Mapua Cardinals, 71-64, to gain solo third in the standings. -- report from ANC

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National Collegiate Athletic Association standings (as of August 18, 2010)

SBC Red Lions 8-0
SSC-R Stags 7-1
JRU Heavy Bombers 6-2
MIT Cardinals 5-3
AU Chiefs 3-5
CSJL Knights 3-5
EAC Generals 2-6
CSB Blazers 2-6
UPHSD Altas 0-8