AIMS, which finished second behind league-leading Bulacan State University (6-0), and the Pasay City-based Philsca, which dropped to 4-2, squares off again in the cross-over semifinal which will resume early next month.
The BSU Gold Gear, which downed Eulogio Amang Rodriguez Institute of Science and Technology (EARIST), 92-70, took the No. 1 spot and will face No. 4 Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Pasig (3-3) in their own semifinal knockout game.
Anthony Carrasco topscored with 19 points and Al-Fidzky Dais added 15 for the Blue Sharks of AIMS, while Randy Leones had 21 for Philsca, which led at the half, 38-31, but lost steam in the second half of play.
Jeffrey Surio, BSU’s high-scoring starter, again led the Gold Gear with 16. The Gold Gear led by a big margin, 60-31, at the half. Mark dela Cruz finished with 18 for the EARIST Fox.
In the only other men’s game, Philippine Merchant Marine School-Las Piñas outplayed Technological University of the Philippines-Taguig, 79-64, to close its campaign with a 1-5 mark in a three-way tie with EARIST and TUP-Taguig.
In the women’s side, BSU Lady Gold Gear topped TUP-Manila, 76-43, to formally clinch the top finals berth. BSU enjoys a twice-to-beat edge in the finals against TUP-Manila.
Meanwhile, the two other women’s team — Philsca and AIMS rounded out its campaign with a 1-2 and 0-3 records, respectively.