PHILIPPINE Merchant Marine School turned on the heat in the last period to crush La Salle-Dasmariñas, 80-70, Tuesday and clinch the second finals berth in the 19th National Capital Region Athletic Association (NCRAA) men’s basketball tournament at the Olivarez College gymnasium in Sucat, Parañaque.

The Mariners, who also won over the Patriots, 84-65, in Game 1, relied on their inside plays late in the game to gain the upperhand over the Patriots and sweep their best-of-three semifinals in this cagefest supported by Mikasa and Molten Balls and ANI AgriNurture Inc.

With Sany Trinidad scoring 14 of his 23-point tally in the fourth, the Mariners fashioned out the win and arranged a best-of-three title showdown with the Olivarez College Sea Lions starting on Tuesday.

“Grabe ang confidence ng mga bata. First time ito,” said Mariners coach Aldrin Morante as PMMS earned its first-ever finals stint in six years.

A 10-2 run at the start of the last canto allowed the Mariners to take charge. Trinidad and Don Reverente led the assault as the Mariners widened a 54-52 third-quarter edge to 10 at 64-54 in the last 6:22.

After the Patriots threatened at 65-68, the Mariners managed to keep out of range behind the inside incursions of Trinidad, Reverente and Elmar Moradas.

Jeofrey Acain showed the way for the Patriots with 19 points, including three triples in the third after the Patriots kept matters close at 25-26 at the break.

Earlier, the La Salle-Dasmariñas Lady Patriots won over the Emilio Aguinaldo College-Cavite Lady Vanguard, 68-57, to improve to 1-1 in the women’s action.