Games Monday (Olivarez College gymnasium)

10 a.m. PATTS vs RTU

11:30 a.m. DLSU-Dasma vs PSBA

1 p.m. Olivarez College vs PMMS

DASMARIñAS, Philippines — 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 in the last 5.2 seconds, held off the Philippine School of Business Administration Jaguars, 73-68, at the Ugnayang La Salle gymnasium inside the DLSU-Dasmariñas campus.

The Blue Thunder, leaning on the fourth-quarter heroics of Tristan Pagente, escaped with a 70-69 verdict over the La Salle-Dasmariñas Patriots in the cagefest supported by Mikasa and Molten Balls, and ANI AgriNurture, Inc.

Trinidad, who had 17 points, put the Mariners out of reach with his charities in the last 5.2 seconds, allowing PMMS to march to their fifth consecutive triumph and a share of the lead with the Olivarez College Sea Lions.

Elmar Moradas showed the way for the Mariners, who are in contention with Sea Lions for the top two semifinal slots.

Meanwhile, Pagente, who had eight points in the last canto, sank a triple with 1:14 left, and then kept the ball in RTU’s possession with his steal after the Patriots bungled two good chances to score in the endgame.

The Blue Thunder hiked their record to 3-1 to also boost their bid of making it to the semis. Last Thursday, the Blue Thunder came away with a 66-55 beating of the Emilio Aguinaldo-Cavite Vanguard, with Jopet Quiro scoring 12 points.

In men’s volleyball, PMMS prevailed over RTU, 25-18, 25-18, 25-17, while the La Salle-Dasmariñas Patriots upended the EAC-Cavite Vanguard, 25-18, 25-9, 23-25, 25-16, to keep their grip on the top spot with their fourth straight wins.

Olivarez College (2-2) took four sets to turn back PATTS College of Aeronautics, 21-25, 25-14, 21-25, 25-16, 15-13.