Champs League Sweet 16 under way

MANILA, Philippines - San Beda and Far Eastern U open their title quests as the Sweet 16 Finals of the 2009 Philippine Collegiate Champions League begins today at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.

Coming off disappointing losses in their respective leagues, both squads are favored to enter the tournament’s next stage against unheralded opponents.

The Tamaraws battle NCAA fifth-placer and wild card entrant Arellano University in the curtain raiser at 2 p.m. while the Red Lions take on another wild card team in NAASCU titlist San Sebastian College Recoletos de Cavite at 4 p.m.

Ranked among the favorites before the start of the UAAP this season, FEU went cold during the latter portion of the tournament before losing to University of the East in the Final Four at the height of the controversy surrounding its star guard Mark Barroca.

San Beda was picked to win its fourth consecutive NCAA title but suffered an embarrassing sweep at the hands of San Sebastian in the finals.

The Chiefs and Baycats reached the tournament’s main phase by winning their respective Visayas-Mindanao zonal qualifiers.

Arellano swept the Bacolod leg while San Sebastian-Cavite upset Adamson on the final day in Cebu to reach the Sweet 16.

The Baycats of coach Egay Macaraya defeated University of Manila to capture their second NAASCU title behind league MVP Jhun Gracilla and 2008 MVP and PBL standout Kris Lucernas.

The Tamaraws are in the bottom half of the draw and will likely face the likes of defending champion La Salle, UAAP runner-up University of the East and NCAA champion San Sebastian on their way to the final.

A win over Arellano would forge a quarterfinal showdown with either UE or University of Cebu.

The Lions, on the other hand, will have to get past UAAP titlist Ateneo, Jose Rizal and CESAFI king University of Visayas to make it to the finals.

Should they hurdle their opening assignment, the Lions would face either the UV Lancers or the Mapua Cardinals in the quarterfinals.

The first round matches of the Sweet 16 Finals, sponsored by PLDT and Smart, will also be played at The Arena and at the Ormoc Dome in Ormoc City.

More details of the tournament can be obtained at the official PCCL website www.CollegiateChampionsLeague.net.