Guest team MCFASolver eked out a thrilling 20-18 victory over a hard-fighting NorthPort side to claim a second straight quarterfinals berth in the Philippine Basketball Association 3×3 Season 3 Second Conference at the Ayala Mall Circuit in Makati on Monday.

Brawny Brandon Ramirez sank two pressure-packed free throws in the final 14 seconds to break a tight 18-18 contest and hand out Tech Centrale its second straight win in Pool C on the opening day of pool play.

The 6-foot-5 Ramirez finished with 10 points and six rebounds to help the new kids on the block take the top spot in their group and advance to the knockout stage for the second consecutive legs.

NorthPort fell to a 0-2 record as it lost its first game against Terrafirma, 16-13.

Other than the Tech Centrale, the rest of the teams are still in the running for the remaining quarterfinal tickets being disputed as of presstime. Only eight will advance to the next round set on Tuesday.

Barangay Ginebra kept its hopes alive of moving into next round following a 17-13 upset of Cavitex.

In Pool A, meanwhile, Leg 1 winner TNT takes the lead with a 1-0 record by downing Blackwater, 21-16.

But the Bossing bounced back to tie their slate at 1-1 with a 20-15 win over Purefoods.