With how the first-round eliminations went, teams expect a tougher battle ahead in the crucial second round of the NCAA Season 100 men’s basketball tournament.

College of St. Benilde currently leads the standings with a 7-2 win-loss record, but only one full game separates them from San Beda, Mapua and Letran, which shares second with a 6-3 card.

University of Perpetual Help, Lyceum and Emilio Aguinaldo College share fifth to seventh places with identical 4-5 slates, while Jose Rizal University and Arellano are just a full game behind with 3-6 marks.

San Sebastian, meanwhile, resides at the bottom standings with a 2-7 tally.

St. Benilde coach Charles Tiu is relieved to finish on top following a statement 84-69 win over JRU last Tuesday, Oct. 8, but admitted they have not accomplished anything yet.

“We’re happy that we’re number one, but obviously, we would have wanted a bit more breathing room kasi dikit-dikit lahat ng team,” said Tiu.

“Definitely we need to continue to work kasi wala pa kaming naa-accomplish, so we have to make sure to stay sharp in the second round when it matters,” he added.

San Beda coach Yuri Escueta, whose team guns for back-to-back championships, echoed the sentiment and hopes for more growth from his stalwarts heading to the next round.

“Marami pa kaming kailangang ayusin, but we’re getting there,” Escueta said after the Red Lions dismantled last season’s bridesmaid Mapua Cardinals, 76-69, in overtime.

“Hopefully after nine games, naka-adjust na sila sa NCAA type of game and atmosphere,” he added.

The second-round elims is tentatively set on Friday, Oct. 11.