THE San Beda Red Lions and the Diliman College Blue Dragons turned back separate foes to post their first wins at the start of the 15th Fr. Martin Cup Division 2 basketball tournament at the San Beda-Manila campus in Mendiola.
Senegalese cager Adama Diakhite shot a game-high 23 points for the Blue Dragons in their 86-51 demolition of guest squad West Crame of San Juan.
Eugene Toba and Alfred Sedillo tallied 19 points for the Red Lions as they won over the Ateneo Blue Eagles, 73-64.
In the junior division, Iverson Petros knocked in 11 points for the Rich Golden Shower Montessori School in their 87-73 win over the San Beda-B, while Diliman Preparatory School prevailed over San Beda-B, 73-60.
Commissioner Robert de la Rosa said 30 varsity squads have signed up, with 12 teams seeing action in the senior division, while 18 others are in the junior division.
The 6-foot-9 Diakhite took charge underneath right from start and helped the Blue Dragons limit the San Juan cagers to six points in the first minutes of action.
The Blue Dragons took a 22-9 lead in the first period and widened it to 45-21 at halftime.
The Red Lions broke free from a 54-all deadlock with a 10-0 run that was led by Kyle Carlos and Kenneth Mocon.
After taking a 64-54 lead, the Blue Eagles came charging back behind three triples from Jack Salazar.
The Blue Eagles managed to threaten, 64-69, before the Red Lions held their ground in the remaining two minutes.