Letran College tripped University of the Philippines, 70-61, yesterday to bolster its bid for a quarterfinals berth in the 2nd Filoil Flying V PreSeason Invitational Cup at The Arena in San Juan.

Rey Guevarra pumped in 21 points, including 10 in the third quarter, as the Knights stayed in the fight against the tough Maroons, who trailed by a point, 42-43, at the close of the third.

It was the second win in three outing for the Knights, who still have three games left.

RJ Razul then picked up from where Guevarra left in the fourth quarter, scoring 11 points with Alvyn Cabonce scoring all of his six points to finally put away the Maroons, who finished the eliminations with a 0-6 card in a tie with the University of Perpetual Help-Dalta System.

Earlier, Jose Rizal University finally put together one solid game to blast the Altas, 83-55.

James Sena scattered 24 points, Marc Terence Cagoco had 11 and Marvin Hayes added 10 for the Heavy Bombers, who finished the elimination round with a 2-4 card, but not enough to send it to the eight-team quarterfinals of this tournament also backed by Total Metro Oil, Canopy Homes, Flying V Biodiesel Premium, Smart, Boysen, Bayo, Metathione, Padi’s Point, CDO, Reyes Barbecue, Burlington, Chowking, Ecology Marine Transport Specialist, Inc., Diamond Purified Drinking Water and official ball Nike.

Franz Dysam had 14 and Ronald Reyes added 13 for the Altas, who fell by 10 points in the first quarter, 8-18, and could not get going the rest of the match, as the Heavy Bombers poured it on in the next two quarters.

JRU’s defense held the Altas to only four points in the third quarter, the worst in the tournament, and the Heavy Bombers coasted to an 18-point spread early in the fourth quarter.

The Heavy Bombers even had the luxury of fielding in Cameroonian Nchotu John Njei, who led a 15-2 run in the third quarter that put JRU beyond reach, 62-44.

“We were struggling earlier in the tournament. Ngayon pa lang nabubuo ang team,” said JRU coach Ariel Vanguardia.

The scores

First Game

JRU 83 — Sena 24, Cagoco 11, Hayes 10, Pradas 9, Bulangis 8, Nocom 7, Matute 6, Njei 5, Montemayor 3.

PERPETUAL HELP 55 — Dysam 14, Reyes 13, M. Kong 9, Balboa 8, Salanga 5, Vivero 2, Petilos 2.

Quarters : 18-8, 35-29, 62-44, 83-55.

Second Game

LETRAN 70 — Guevarra 21, Jazul 19, Melegrito 9, Cabonce 6, Foronda 5, Ranises 3, Cortez 3, Gutilban 2, Dangcal 2.

UP 61 — Agbayani 16, Sorongon 13, Reyes 12, Co 5, Dela Victoria 3, Sison 3, Hipolito 3, Gamboa 2,

Astorga 2, Marfori 2.

Quarters: 17-13, 27-22, 43-42, 70-61.