THE Philippine Merchant Marine School Mariners stepped on the gas in the final minute to upset the Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals, 77-70, yesterday in the 16th National Capital Region Athletic Association men?s basketball tournament stepladder semifinals at the Arellano University Gym in Legarda.

This put the Mariners a step closer to their first-ever finals appearance in the tournament sponsored by Mikasa and Molten Balls, and www.philspike.com.

With the Generals out, the Universal College Golden Dragons are the only team standing in the way of the Aldrin Morante-coached Mariners.

But the Mariners will have to win twice over the Golden Dragons, who wield a twice-to-beat advantage under the stepladder semis format.

After the Mariners forced the Generals to two turnovers, Elmar Moradas scored two key baskets in the last 29 seconds?a charity and a clutch basket that gave PMMS a 73-67 advantage, en route to the win that arranged a 10 a.m. clash with the Golden Dragons, also at the Arellano-Legarda Gym.

?Depensa lang talaga. Kay [Romeo] Fotue namin itinutok ang defense namin,? said Morante.

Jessie Bustos powered the Mariners with 19 points, while Aries de las Yslas and Moradas scored 16 apiece.

Quiambao made 16 points, while Fotue, the General?s Cameroonian go-to guy, had 15, but was limited to six in the final period.

The defending champion Arellano University Chiefs, who earned an outright finals slot after sweeping their 10-game elimination round assignment, will enjoy a week of rest as they await the outcome of the battle between the Golden Dragons and the Mariners.

The Mariners overcame a 28-39 deficit behind De las Yslas, who banged in 13 points in the third canto, and put the PMMS on top with a pair of driving shots, 56-52. Peter Atencio