MANILA, Philippines — Philipine Merchant Marine School flirted with disaster before outlasting Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Muntinlupa, 71-67, in the NCRAA men’s basketball tournament.
With their fourth straight win, the Mariners moved into a tie for the Group A lead with defending champion Olivarez College.
The Mariners saw their 60-48 lead wiped out by a gutsy rally put up by PLMun. Two free throws by Remart Argana put his squad back in the thick of the fight. But Bryan Hilario, who had a no relief performance, hit a triple in the 1:10 mark to give PMMS enough cushion, 71-64.
Emilio Aguinaldo College-Cavite and St. Francis of Assisi also hurdled their respective NCRAA rivals to fortify their chances heading to the next round.
In a battle of Cavite squads, EAC drew the last four points from Vincent Gabriana and John Rey de Quiros to score a 65-61 victory over De La Salle-Dasmariñas and improve to 2-3.
Saint Francis of Assisi College blasted lowly Asian Institute of Maritime Studies, 90-64, for a big bounce back win. Veterans Kenji Manzanilla and Ryan Chu dropped in 28 and 23 points, respectively to tow the Doves to their third win in five games.
The scores:
P M M S (71) – Hilario 21, Attas 14, Cabauatan 10, Carvajal 9, Briones 8, Gabat 4, Sunga 3, Palomares 2, Sosing 0, Agustin 0, Bautista 0, Templo 0.
PLMuntinlupa 67 – Olegario 20, Gonzales 13, Cabeguin 8, Aljecera 8, Austria 6, Barnedo 4, Aquino 3, de la Cruz 3, Argana 2, Medina 0, Buhat 0.
Quarterscores: 21-11, 41-33, 60-48, 72-67.
EAC-Cavite 65 – Gabriana 15, De Quiros 10, Beduria 9, Batestil 7, Agillon 7, Aguinaldo 6, Santillan 4, Camana 3, Adiao 3, Catsao 1, Dultra 0, Justan 0, Rafael 0.
DLSU-Dasmarinas 61 – Cantimbuhan 15, Jamon 14, de Vera 8, Caronongan 6, Amponin 4, Montes 4, Merilles 3, Loor 3, Lina 2, Loyola 2, Gamale 0, Tupaz 0, Labao 0, Stephenson 0.
Quarterscores: 13-14, 28-25, 38-46, 65-61.
Saint Francis 90 – Manzanilla 28, Chu 23, Cenita 13, Cruz 7, Arellano 6, Larotin 6, Legaspi 3, Ja Guevarra 2, Sumaguit 2, So 0, Selorio 0, Jo Guevarra 0.
A I M S 64 – Inid 19, Belvis 16, Rai 10, Almohallas 7, Flores 6, Gancayco 3, Solatorio 3, Mann 0.
Quarterscores: 20-13, 41-30, 73-46, 90-64.