DUMAGUETE CITY—Ateneo de Manila University passed its toughest test so far in the 13th Philippine National University Games as the Blue Eagles turned back the West Negros University Mustangs, 72-61, Wednesday night to reach the basketball finals at the Lamberto Macias Sports and Cultural Center.

The Eagles needed a brilliant fourth quarter to forge a title duel with Emilio Aguinaldo College, which hammered out a 94-92 overtime victory over Angeles University Foundation behind Argel Mendoza’s 24 points.

Eric Salamat had 18 points and Rabeh Al-Hussaini added 14 for the Eagles, who survived stellar performances from the Mustangs’ 5-foot-6 playmaker Alfie Villariza and 6-foot-2 center Winrich Posoc.

The fleet-footed Villariza matched his output against Far Eastern University in the semis last year by pouring 30 points, including 21 in the second half to help the Mustangs cut a 17-point deficit to 45-47 heading into the fourth period.

But Eman Monfort and Kirk Long opened the final quarter with back-to-back triples, before Al-Hussaini and Oping Sumalinog combined for 14 of Ateneo’s next 17 points to finish off the former squad of Eagle Nonoy Baclao, who did not play because of tendonitis.

Posoc had seven blocks, two each on Al-Hussaini and Salamat, before fouling out early in the final quarter.

It was a disappointing day for the University of Santo Tomas who saw its bid for four titles reduced to one after bowing out in men’s and women’s football and women’s volleyball in the semifinals of this week-long event supported by the Philippine Sports Commission.

De La Salle University got back at UST, 1-0, with Jo Del Rosario pouncing on a goal-mouth scramble in the 13th minute to boot in the marginal goal at the Perdices Stadium.

University of St. La Salle stunned UST, 23-25, 25-23, 25-19, 25-14, in women’s volleyball.