University of Perpetual Help leaned on the duo of Kim Aurin and Nigerian Prince Eze as it overcame Mapua Tech, 74-68, yesterday for the solo third spot in the 94th NCAA basketball tournament at the Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan City.

Aurin came through with his best game thus far with 22 points, four rebounds, five assists and five steals while the 6-9 Eze powered his way to 19 points, 19 boards and one block as the Altas rolled to their third straight win and fifth overall, good enough to bump off the Letran Knights (4-2) at No. 3.

The Las Pinas-based school also surpassed its forgettable 4-14 (win-loss) performance a season ago.

Perpetual Help did it with a new coach in Frankie Lim and 11 new players, including the multi-faceted Aurin.

Mapua sank to 2-6 (win-loss).

Meanwhile, Javee Mocon and rookie James Kwekuteye conspired in the fourth quarter as San Beda University rallied to beat San Sebastian College, 65-54, yesterday to book its sixth win in row.

Mocon and Kwekuteye fired 10 points apiece in the final period.