DEFENDING champion Letran and bitter rival San Beda moved closer in securing twice-to-beat slots in the Final Four after besting also-ran foes in the NCAA men’s basketball tournament at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.

Playing without coach Bonnie Tan, the Knights cruised to a 74-58 win over Mapua to regain their winning ways, while the Red Lions turned back Jose Rizal University, 70-61.

Letran moved up to 13-4, dislodging College of Saint Benilde, which will face Arellano University today, in first place.

The Blazers are now sitting in second place with a 12-4 mark, needing two more wins to secure of at least a top two spot.

San Beda, for its part seized solo third with a 12-5 heading into Tuesday’s duel with Benilde in a match-up that could possibly decide the top two squads in the Final Four.

The Knights will wrap up their elims stint against the Bombers on Wednesday.

Bucking foul trouble, Louie Sangalang led the way for Letran with 21 points on 9-of-10 shooting from the field alongside five rebounds while Fran Yu added 10 points, seven boards and three assists.

Jacob Cortez and James Kwekuteye teamed up for 27 points as San Beda held JRU to five points in the payoff period.

The Cardinals and the Bombers dropped to 6-11.

The scores:

First game

Letran (74) — Sangalang 21, Yu 10, Reyson 9, Caralipio 8, Javillonar 8, Ariar 6, Monje 4, Olivario 3, Guarino 3, Paraiso 2, Santos 0.
Mapua (58) — Hernandez 13, Bonifacio 8, Pido 8, Nocum 6, Cuenco 5, Lacap 5, Soriano 4, Garcia 3, Salenga 3, Agustin 3, Mercado 0.
Quarterscores: 22-18, 46-32, 60-53, 74-58.

Second game

San Beda (70) — Cortez 15, Kwekuteye 12, Alfaro 11, Bahio 10, Andrada 7, Sanchez 6, Payosing 5, Cuntapay 2, Visser 2, Cometa 0, Jopia 0, Tagala 0.
JRU (61) — Miranda 19, Medina 12, Dionisio 8, Delos Santos 6, Dela Rosa 6, Tan 6, Guiab 4, Sy 2, De Jesus 0, Arenal 0, Gonzales 0, Mercado 0.
Quarterscores: 24-15, 40-36, 53-56, 70-61.