COLEADERS College of St. Benilde and San Sebastian College-Recoletos stake their perfect records as they face off for the solo lead in the 85th National Collegiate Athletic Association men’s basketball tournament on Wednesday at The Arena in San Juan.

Having successfully hurdled their first two games, the Blazers and the Stags collide at 4 p.m. with the winner grabbing the solo lead in the 10-team field.

Meanwhile, perennial contender Letran College and University of Perpetual Help will try to barge into the win column when they face each other at 2 p.m.

The Blazers and Stags are tied for the lead with the idle Heavy Bombers of Jose Rizal University (JRU).

St. Benilde is off to its best start in six years after winning its first two games against Angeles University Foundation and Mapua.

But coach Richard del Rosario knows they still have a lot of work to do to achieve their goal of at least making it to the final four.

“It’s good to be up 2-0, but it’s still early in the tournament and we still have lots to improve on,” said the rookie mentor. “And in this next match, it will be a big test for us.”

“We need to double our efforts against San Sebastian if we want to pull through. They are one of the toughest teams in the NCAA right now,” he added.

San Sebastian is fresh from an 83-77 upset of three-time defending champion San Beda College.

But like del Rosario, the Stags’ Ato Agustin, also in his first year as coach, is also downplaying their feats so far, reminding his players not to be complacent.

“We have to respect all the teams we play because I believe all teams are [capable of beating anyone],” he said.

The Stags will again lean on its potent starting unit of Jimbo Aquino, Gilbert Bulawan, Raymond Maconocido, Pamboy Raymundo and rookie center Ian Sangalang, while the Blazers will be powered by Jeff Morial with Chuck Dalanon, Gelo Montecastro, Illy Johnston and Jacob Manlapaz backing him up.

“We need this game because we feel our next three games would shape what team we’re going to be this season,” said del Rosario, whose squad will next face San Beda and Letran.

The Knights have yet to find their rhythm. They lost their first two outings against JRU and Arellano University, making this match against also winless Altas important.

“It’s still a long season but we don’t want to be in a deeper hole so expect us to go all out for a win,” said Letran coach Louie Alas, who steered the school to three of its league-best 16 championships in 1998, 2003 and 2005.

The Altas lost their first two assignments against the Heavy Bombers and the Stags.