MANILA, Philippines—Philippine Merchant Marine School leaned on the fiery plays of Rocky Antonares and Jake Israel Yagonia to trip Olivarez College, 77-70, and grab the top spot in the 22nd NCRAA men’s basketball tournament at Olivarez Gym on Tuesday.
The hulking Antonares fired 15 points while Yagonia finished with 14 as the Mariners stopped the four-game winning streak of the Sea Lions, who are being handled by PBA Hall of Famer Philip Cezar.
PMMS, Olivarez College and Philippine School of Business Administration-Quezon City finished in a three-way tie (4-1) but the Mariners and the Sea Lions took the twice-to-beat edges due to a better quotient.
Aristotle Dionisio sizzled with 29 points as PSBA-QC drubbed Emilio Aguinaldo College-Cavite, 93-65.
PMMS battles Rizal Technological U in the semifinals, while Olivarez renews its rivalry with PSBA-QC in the other pairing.
RTU edged DLSU-Dasmariñas in overtime, 77-75, to finish the eliminations with a 2-3 record.