Letran College turned to its tight full-court defense to offset its subpar offense and successfully recovered from a 12-point deficit to beat University of Perpetual Help, 73-68, for its first win in the 85th National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) men’s basketball tournament on Wednesday at The Arena in San Juan.

RJ Jazul exploded for 24 points but it was his fellow Smart-Gilas National Team mainstay Rey Guevarra who starred in a telling 17-2 run in the fourth quarter to lift the Knights, who lost their first two matches.

“Finally, we won,” said coach Louie Alas. “We have a very young team and we’re still trying to find the right mix and we’re very happy for this breakthrough.”

Jazul made 16 of his total output in the first half, where Letran took a precarious 40-39 lead.

The Altas came out from the dugout smoking and uncorked a 16-3 run, holding the Knights without a field goal for seven minutes, to take a 55-43 lead.

But when Perpetual seemed on its way to its first triumph in three tries and Letran staring at a 0-3 record, the Knights used a stifling full-court press and caught the Altas at 61-all midway in the payoff period.

Guevarra sank two free throws to give Letran a 63-61 advantage that was immediately erased by Perpetual, but he then fired consecutive treys to give the Knights a 69-63 lead with 3:11 left.

The Altas tried to bounce back and got a break when Guevarra fouled out with still 2:02 remaining, but the Knights stood tough and preserved the lead until the final buzzer.

Raffy Ynion scored 19 points to lead the Altas, who remained without a victory under new mentor Boris Aldeguer.

Meanwhile, San Beda College issued a statement in reaction to “rumors” that it intends to join the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP).

League president Rev. Fr. Mat de Jesus, OSB, of Season 85 host San Beda said while they are grateful to be included on the list of schools the UAAP is eyeing in its planned expansion, their main focus now is to make the ongoing season a resounding success.

“San Beda is grateful to hear that from Mr. Montinola,” de Jesus, the San Beda rector, said in a statement referring to his UAAP counterpart Anton Montinola of UAAP Season 72 host Far Eastern University.

“But as current NCAA host, San Beda College plans to make this year the most memorable and exciting as possible,” he added.

Montinola has bared plans of the UAAP expansion possibly next year and quickly named San Beda as the strongest candidate.

“Apparently, the school that comes to mind without alienating the other schools interested would be San Beda,” said Montinola.

“They’re strong in all sports, they’re alumni is always behind them and supporting them, they have a serious basketball program that would enhance the popularity of the UAAP,” he added.

De Jesus said the issue happens to coincide at a time when the Mendiola-based school is currently applying to reach University status at the Commission on Higher Education.

That’s why the four-peat seeking Lions, whose 14 basketball titles is second only to the Letran Knights’ league-best 16, are not closing the door on the possibility recently presented by the UAAP.

“When it becomes a university within one year, San Beda will keep open its option for UAAP,” said de Jesus.

“Ultimately, it will be the entire Bedan Community to decide on this: administration, faculty and staff, students, alumni, parents and other stakeholders,” he added.