Jose Rizal University and Lyceum, gasping for air, did just that as they ran the gauntlet and turned back separate rivals at the Filoil EcoOil Arena Tuesday to claim the last two quarterfinal seats in NCAA Season 101.
The Bombers showed incredible poise in edging the Emilio Aguinaldo Generals, 80-76, while the Pirates outlasted the San Sebastian Stags, 70-63, to barge into the quarters.
There, JRU tackles Group A top-notcher University of Perpetual Help and LPU faces off with Group B No. 1 San Beda Thursday for a crack at a spot in the best-of-three semifinals.
But for it to happen, the Bombers and the Pirates would need to beat their foes two in a row since the latter two have come to the quarters boasting a twice-to-beat incentive.
“We just want to finish the season in a memorable way,” said LPU wing John Barba, who erupted with 22 points.
The scores:
First Game
LPU 70 – Barba 22, Daileg 14, Versoza 14, Villegas 10, Montaño 3, Peñafiel 3, Moralejo 2, Aviles 2, Matienzo 0, Fuentes 0, Pallingayan 0, Casiño 0, Abregana 0.
SSC-R 63 – Dela Rama 17, Lumanag 15, Cabilla 11, Gabat 6, Ricio 5, Castor 4, Felebrico 3, Dimaunahan 2, Cuajao 0, Nepacena 0.
Quarterscores: 20-21; 38-42; 50-47; 70-63
Second Game
JRU 80 – Lozano 15, Garupil 14, Argente 12, Salvador 10, Laurenaria 7, Panapanaan 6, Duque 6, Benitez 6, Sarmiento 2, Herrera 2, Castillo 0, Peñaverde 0.
EAC 76 – Quinal 16, Castillo 14, Oftana 13, Angeles 9, Shanoda 8, Bagay 6, Lucero 5, Loristo 3, Omandac 1, Bacud 1, Ochavo 0, Jacob 0, Postanes 0.
Quarterscores: 18-18; 38-42; 60-58; 80-76