DASMARIÑAS, Cavite—The Philippine Merchant Marine School Mariners and the Rizal Technological University Blue Thunder eked out close wins Thursday in the 19th National Capital Region Athletic Association (NCRAA) men’s basketball tournament here.
The Mariners, behind Mark Trinidad’s two free throws with 5.2 seconds left, held off the Philippine School of Business Administration Jaguars, 73-68, at the Ugnayang La Salle gym on the DLSU-Dasmariñas campus.
The Blue Thunder, leaning on the fourth-quarter heroics of Tristan Pagente, escaped with a 70-69 decision over the De La Salle-Dasmariñas Patriots.
The fifth straight win gave the Mariners a share of the lead with the Olivarez College Sea Lions.
The Blue Thunder improved their record to 3-1 and, like the Blue Thunder, boosted their bid of advancing to the semifinals.