AUF’s Guian Fuertez (right) chases the loose ball as Arellano’s Rod Apostol (left) slips during their NCAA game on Monday at The Arena in San Juan. The Chiefs won, 84-69. (BOB DUNGO JR.)

Standings               W         L
San Sebastian      11         0
San Beda                 9         1
JRU                           8         2
Arellano                    7         4
Letran                       7         4
St. Benilde               4         6
UPH                          3         8
EAC                           2         8
Mapua                       1        10
AUF                            1        10
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Games on Wednesday
(The Arena, San Juan)
2 p.m. — CSB vs JRU (Srs)
4 p.m. — EAC vs SBC (Srs

Letran and Arellano University made the race for the last two Final Four berths a lot more exciting by downing their respective foes in the 85th NCAA basketball tournament on Monday at The Arena in San Juan.

The Chiefs, getting another huge lift from big man Girio Ciriacruz, walloped Angeles University Foundation, 84-69, for its seventh win in 11 starts.

Not to be left out, the Knights banked on RJ Jazul’s heroics in the dying seconds to eke out a thrilling 70-65 win over the gritty Mapua Cardinals and join the Chiefs at fourth spot.

With the Knights holding a slim 68-65 lead, the Smart Gilas national team member Jazul came through with a left-handed lay up off the outstreched arms off Teree Guillermo and Mark Acosta for 70-65 lead time down to 12.7 ticks left.

San Sebastian College, sporting an immaculate 11-0 record, and three-time defending champion San Beda College, carrying a second-best 9-1 mark, appear ready to clinch the first two berths in the Final Four.

The Cardinals looked on course for a big win after taking the 44-30 lead midway through the third.

But the Knights wheeled back into the contest as they rattled the Cardinals with their choking trap defense that saw chop Mapua’s lead down to 53-51. They eventually took the upperhand as Rey Guevarra and Kevin Alas came through with huge baskets.

“Very eager kami sa first half at walang extra passes,” said Letran coach Louie Alas, who steered the Knights to its 16th title in 2005. “Buti na lang we adjusted sa defense namin. Naging single coverage ang defense.”

Jazul finished with 12 points while Rey Guevarra had 18 for the Letran which duplicated its victory over Mapua in the first round.

With the 6-foot-5 Ciriacruz terrorizing the shaded lane and the Great Danes falling into a maze of errors, the Chiefs stretched their lead to 22 points which they protected gallantly.

Ciriacruz tossed in 23 points and grabbed seven rebounds in 33 minutes of action in what could be a fitting sequel to his personal high 31-point and 13-assist performance the last time out.

His brother, Isiah and Adrian Celada provided him ample support with 11 points each as the Chiefs repeated over the Danes. They beat the Danes in the first round, 96-77.

AUF’s 21 errors in the first half made Arellano’s job a lot easier as it scored in transition to the delight of their supporters – coach Junjie Ablan included.

“We were able to execute our game plan from the start. I told them to apply pressure defense on them (Danes) because we know they are the team with the most number of turnovers in the league,” Ablan said.

First Game (Srs)
ARELLANO 84 — G. Ciriacruz 23, Celada 11, I Ciriacruz 11, Apostol 10, Anquilio 7, Tayongtong 7, Reducto 6, Agustin 5, Rivera 2, Miranda 2, Catapang 0.
ANGELES 69 — Carney 25, Santos 12, Manarang 9, Musni 7, Gomez 6, Gigante 4, Fuertez 2, Henson 2, Perez 2, Sazon 0, Dumlao 0.
Quarters: 24-16, 47-29, 66-51, 84-69.

Second Game (Srs)
LETRAN 70 — Guevarra 18, Jazul 12, Kevin Alas 11, Cortes 9, Belencion 5, Del Rosario 4, Foronda 4, Datang 3, Gutilban 2, Taplah 2, Kristoffer Alas 0.
MAPUA 65 — Cornejo 15, Acosta 13, Guillermo 11, Raneses 8, Pascual 6, Sarangay 5, Parala 4, Maniego 2, Stevens 1, Espinosa 0.
Quarters: 12-11, 30-36, 53-51, 70-65.