Philippine Merchant Marine School and Asian Institute of Maritime Studies sizzled early as they booked nail-biting wins in the opening salvo of the National Capital Region Athletic Association late Saturday at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.

The Mariners squandered a 16-point lead before preserving a scary 85-84 victory over PATTS-College of Aeronautics while the Blue Sharks dug deep into their arsenal to register an 80-77 triumph over St. Dominic of Asia.

The Mariners displayed their championship experience all game long, especially in the crucial stretch when they regained their composure after flirting with disaster.

Vince Salonga refused to crack under pressure as he hit a tough fadeaway jumper at the buzzer to give PMMS the victory and send its supporters erupting into celebration.

Prior to Salonga’s heroics, Genesis Unas, who finished with a double-double performance with 17 points and 10 rebounds for PATTS, came through with a three-point play opportunity after drawing a foul from Joaquin Octavo.

Unas, however, failed to complete his three-point play that would have tied the match at 83 in the final 24 seconds.

PATTS got another opportunity to steal the victory after forcing a turnover leading to Jakeem Fernandez’s free throw, 84-83, but Salonga displayed nerves of steel as he nailed the game-winner for the Mariners.

Meanwhile, Immaculada Concepcion College flaunted its strength as it dominated Bestlink College of the Philippines, 84-56, in the main game of the opener that was witnessed by around 12,000 fans.