Colegio de San Juan de Letran was just as deadly even without head coach Bonnie Tan as they cruised to a 74-58 win over Mapua University in NCAA Season 98 on Saturday.
Louie Sangalang led the way for the Knights with 21 points on 9-of-10 shooting from the field alongside five rebounds.
Letran, which is coming off a loss to San Beda, improved to 13-4 and strengthen its bid for a twice-to-beat bonus while Mapua dropped to 6-11.
Letran unleashed a strong start, leading by as much as 17, 37-20, after a 15-2 start in the second period. The Knights held a 46-32 halftime cushion with Sangalang accounting for 14 points.
But the Cardinals cut that to just a seven-point deficit at the end of the third, 60-53, after outscoring the Knights, 21 to 14.
Kint Ariar then pumped life back to Letran, knocking down two important baskets to regain a double digit lead, 64-54.
Sangalang, who sat most of the fourth period due to foul trouble, then completed a three-point play opportunity before Kurt Reyson knocked down the game-clinching triple.
The Letran defense only allowed five points in the fourth quarter.
Aside from Sangalang, Fran Yu also reached double figures in scoring for the Knights with 10 points alongisde, seven rebounds, three assists a steal and a block. Reyson finished with nine points and six assists.
Paolo Hernandez led Mapua with 13 markers.
Letran will still face Jose Rizal University on Wednesday before it marches to the Final Four.
The scores:
Letran 74 - Sangalang 21, Yu 10, Reyson 9, Caralipio 8, Javillonar 8, Ariar 6, Monje 4, Olivario 3, Guarinio 3, Paraiso 2, Santos 0.
Mapua 58 - Hernandez 13, Bonifacio 8, Pido 8, Nocum 6, Lacap 5, Cuenco 5, Soriano 3, Garcia 3, Agustin 3, Salenga 3, Mercado 0.
Quarters: 22-18, 46-32, 60-53, 74-58.
—JMB, GMA Integrated News
