The Knights displayed tremendous poise at the charity lanes by shooting 5-of-6 in the final minute as forward Alvyn Cabonce made 3-of-4 while guard John Melegrito canned two to stave off the Stags and hand the Letran its eighth win in 10 games.

With the score tied at 60-all, Cabonce, fouled by Jim Viray with a minute left, sank his charities to give Letran the lead for good, 62-60, as the Cardinals’ Pamboy Raymundo missed a jumper that resulted into Cabonce being fouled anew.

Cabonce made his first foul shot but missed the second with Melegrito grabbing the rebound and being fouled by Raymundo for the insurance charities, 65-60, 15.8 seconds left.

"I’m glad, I’m very happy because that’s our goal," said Letran coach Louie Alas, whose team last played Aug. 8 in an 89-82 setback against the Mapua Cardinals. "Our next goal is to get the twice-to-beat."

The Stags dropped to 4-6, one game behind the 6-6 Cardinals and now must win their two remaining games – against JRU on Wednesday and Perpetual Help on Sept. 3 – to force a playoff for a semifinals berth.

In a no-bearing seniors match, University of Perpetual Help defeated College of St. Benilde, 66-52.

In the juniors division, Ryan Buenafe recorded his third triple-double this season as he collected 22 points, 14 rebounds and 11 assists to lead the defending champions SSC Staglets past the Letran Squires, 70-64.

San Sebastian’s win snapped Letran’s seven-game winning streak and avenged as well a 74-75 first round setback, thus forcing a two-way tie for the lead at 7-2.

The CSB-La Salle Green Hills Junior Blazers, on the other hand, kept alive their Final Four bid as they downed the Perpetual Help Altaletes, 72-65.

The Junior Blazers improved their record to 3-6, one game behind the JRU Light Bombers who are at fourth with a 4-5 card.