Polytechnic University of the Philippines-Sta. Mesa (PUP) and Immaculada Concepcion College (ICC) scored contrasting victories Wednesday, Mar. 15, in the 29th NCRAA men’s basketball at the Olivarez College gym in Parañaque City.

Mark Nobleza drained the game-winning triple with four seconds left as PUP squeaked past Saint Dominic College of Asia (SDCA), 81-80, while ICC hammered down Philippine Merchant Marine School (PMMS), 85-73.

It was PUP’s first victory in two outings while ICC remained undefeated in three games.

Trailing 80-78, Nobleza turned things around for PUP by escaping SDCA’s stifling defense to fire the crucial trey off an assist from Matthew Tambong.

Pete Capapas tried to save the day for SDCA with a buzzer-beating jumper, but it bounced off the rim.

SDCA absorbed its second straight defeat.

Nobleza finished with 27 points on a 4-of-10 clip from behind the arc, while Mark Quejada and Rocky Pascasio chipped in 22 and 12 points, respectively.

Like Nobleza, ICC also exploded from the rainbow territory by pumping in nine treys to dominate PMMS.

Alfred Flores erupted for 17 points including five triples for ICC, who pulled away from a 29-20 first-quarter lead and never slowed down.

Jake Gaspay also stepped up for ICC with 15 points, while Roger Ondoa and Alex Dela Cruz added 10 points, respectively.

Bryan Hilario and Warren Sienes conspired for 47 points in a losing effort for PMMS, who fell to 2-1.