MANILA, Philippines -- Letran was provided a tougher than expected challenge by University of Perpetual Help but the Knights managed to pull out a 74-66 victory Monday and forged a three-team tie at the top of the men's basketball tournament of the National Collegiate Athletic Association at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City Monday.

The Knights, who missed the services of skipper RJ Jazul, needed a late surge anchored by Reymar Gutilban to shake off the Altas and score their eighth win in 11 games to tie San Beda and Jose Rizal University.

Gutilban, who also spearheaded Letran's early explosion with 12 first-quarter points, rattled off five straight points to key the Knights' late breakaway, after the Altas roared back from 18 points down early in the third quarter to take the lead, 51-50, with nine minutes remaining.

The reserve guard knocked in a triple from the left quarter court and banked in his own miss to give the Knights a 61-51 lead, before Rey Guevarra and Dino Daa put the finishing touches of the win by combining for 10 points inside the final four minutes.

"We were inconsistent. It's different when we don't have RJ in the squad. Good thing Gutilban stepped up for him," said coach Louie Alas, after the Knights ended a two-game losing slide.

"I have to check the mindset of our team. It's not a good character for a team that is aspiring something big," said Alas.

Alas added: "But I like our chances now. Still, our target is the Final Four. We're not yet thinking about the twice-to-beat bonus."

Jazul, the Knights' top scorer, is under the weather and Alas is hoping the 5-foot-11 shooting guard recovers in time for their important clash with Mapua on Friday.

The Knights stretched their advantage to 45-27 early in the third period, before Franz Dysam fuelled a 31-5 windup to give the Altas their first taste of the lead.

"We made some adjustments, especially with [Carl] Melegrito giving up his offense so he could focus on Dysam," Alas said.

Dysam, a sophomore guard, caused all sorts of problems for the Knights with his quickness and finished with a game-high 18 points for the Altas, who slumped to their 11th straight loss.