LETRAN held off Emilio Aguinaldo College 75-73 yesterday for its second straight win and gained a share of second in the 100th NCAA basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan.

Kevin Santos tallied 17 points, five rebounds, six blocks, and a steal while Vince Cuajao delivered 14 markers, three dimes, two boards and a steal for the Knights.

Jimboy Estrada also had 11 points, eight rebounds and seven assists while big man Pao Javillonar chipped in 10 for Letran, which rose to 4-2 in a tie with Perpetual Help.

“Medyo, early to say (na nagpe-peak na kami) but again we take it one game at a time. Malalakas iyong (ibang) teams so kaya nga every time na may tinatanong lagi ko lang sinasagot na just trying to keep the team close and then we’ll say kung may tiyansa kami sa dulo,” Knights rookie coach Allen Ricardo said.

“So, eventually nandoon na siya sa point na nakikita na niya (Santos) iyong sarili niya inside the court. Alam na niya iyong role niya on the defensive end and the offensive end so medyo nagging composed na siya,” he added.

Earlier, Jose Rizal University Heavy turned back Arellano University 92-89 to get back on track.

Marvin Raymundo and Shawn Argente starred for the Heavy Bombers with 21 and 20 markers, respectively, while Joshua Guiab and Mart Berrera fired 18 and 14, respectively.

JRU raised its mark to 2-4 while Arellano fell to 1-5.

Jaedan Ongotan paced the Chiefs with 20 points, with Lorenz Capulong and Troy Valencia had 15 markers each.

King Gurtiza’s 19 markers, along with Gelo Loristo’s and Kyle Jacob’s 11 points each went down the drain for the Generals who suffered their third consecutive loss.