University of Perpetual Help drew strength from a big start and never waivered from there as it dismembered Letran, 71-61, on Sunday, Oct. 13, to end its alarming slide and recoil back into NCAA Season 100 contention at the Filoil EcoOil Arena.

It was a dominating effort for the Altas, who led from start to finish in essaying its fifth win against six defeats while putting a stop to an alarming four-game losing skein.

Intriguingly, the Las Pinas-based school’s slide started when it absorbed an 82-73 triple overtime defeat to Letran in the first round last Sept. 28.

“Sa Letran start ng losing streak four games, sana Letran din start ng win streak,” said a relieved UPHSD coach Olsen Racela.

Christian Pagaran came off the bench to scatter a game-high 19 points while Mark Gojo Cruz chipped in 15 as the Altas stayed in the Final Four hunt.

Jimboy Estrada flirted with a triple-double with 14 points, 10 assists and seven rebounds in the losing cause.

Worse, Estrada was tossed out after receiving his second technical foul with less than three minutes to go in the game.

That ejection should be costly for Estrada, who was disqualified for any individual awards for his lapse of judgment.

The Knights stumbled to their second loss in a row and fourth overall against six triumphs.

The scores:

First Game

UPHSD 71 – Pagaran 19, Gojo Cruz 15, Abis 8, Orgo 8, Pizarro 6, Boral 5, Manuel 4, Montemayor 3, Gelsano 2, Nuñez 1

Letran 61 – Estrada 14, Montecillo 11, Santos 10, Cuajao 8, Monje 7, Javillonar 4, Delfino 3, Nunag 2, Go 2, Miller 0, Baliling 0, Tagotongan 0

Quarterscores: 22-13, 41-31, 59-48, 71-61