THE Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals and the Letran Knights booked tickets to the semifinals after stopping separate rivals Saturday in the quarterfinal round of the 23rd Fr. Martin Cup Summer Basketball tournament.
The Generals needed an extra period to repulse the AMA Computer University Titans, 79-74, at the St. Placid gymnasium of the San Beda-Manila campus in Mendiola
The Knights turned to the free throw line to turn back the National University Bulldogs, 84-79, in this cagefest supported by Armor On Sportswear.
The La Salle Green Archers, the Centro Escolar University Scorpions, the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons and the Diliman College Blue Dragons are still fighting it out for the other semifinal berths.
The Generals got two triples from Irvin Mendoza and Jethro Mendoza, when they made an effort to move ahead in overtime.
With the count tied at 69-all in regulation, the Mendozas unloaded their treys in the last 3:30, giving them 75-69 cushion.
“This will be our first time in the semifinals,” said Generals coach Ariel Sison.
Jerome Garcia fired a game-high 17 points for the Generals, while the Titans were led by Graham Owen and Jerome Gragasin with 18 points.
The Titans tied the match in regulation when Jason Jordan split his charity shots.
Jeo Ambohot made 20 points for the Knights, including a crucial three-point play in closing seconds.
In the women’s division, Khate Castillo banged in 19 points for the La Salle Lady Archers in their 73-60 swamping of the University of the Philippines.
Ria Nabalan tallied 11 points for the National University Lady Bulldogs in beating University of the East, 47-43.
In the junior division, Harvey Pagsanjan delivered 30 points for Hope Christian School as they won over EAC, 87-71, while Letran put away the NU Bullpups, 82-64.