SAN Beda, behind Peter Alfaro’s 15-point outing, overpowered Jose Rizal University, 88-69, to stay in the quarterfinals hunt, while Letran booted out University of Santo Tomas from contention with a 81-77 win in a key Group B clashes in the Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup.

The Red Lions won two of their last three games after a 0-3 start, while keeping the Bombers winless in five contests.

The Knights rose to 3-2, while sending the Growling Tigers to their fifth defeat in seven games.

Group B-leading La Salle and Lyceum of the Philippines University are already through to the next round of the tournament.

Alfaro, who also had three rebounds and three assists, drew enough support from James Kwekuteye, who had 13 points, six boards and four assists, Justine Sanchez, who scored 13 points, and JB Bahio, the other San Beda in double figures with 11 points.

“Well yun naman talaga kasi yung philosophy ng team namin eh. I always believe that we have 13 to 15 players that we can play at anytime and its not just the players, we’re trying to build the system, the ball movement, so di naman ako nagtataka doon,” said coach Yuri Escueta.

King Caralipio had 18 points and eight rebounds, while Neil Guarino added 15 markers and six rebounds for Letran, which is still trying to move on with the departure of Korea-bound NCAA MVP Rhenz Abando.

“Composure ang pinaka-key word sa nangyari. Lalo na with the absence of Rhenz, talagang napilay yung team. We’re still adjusting sa rotations and combinations, we’re still solving the problem,” said Knights coach Bonnie Tan.

Sherwin Concepcion and Bryan Santos finished with 19 points apiece for UST.

Early Group A quarterfinalist National University extended its perfect run to seven, needing a huge 33-11 second quarter run to repulse Emilio Aguinaldo College, 89-77, in the final match.

NU’s win gave College of Saint Benilde, a 86-78 winner over also-ran Arellano University, a free ride to the quarters along with idle Adamson.

John Galinato scored all of his 12 points in the first half while Ian Manansala and John Lloyd Clemente each had 10 points for the Bulldogs, who are on course for a second off-season crown.

The Blazers ended the eliminations with a 5-3 record after Miggy Corteza starred with 14 points – all but five in the third period.