Archers, Bulldogs face reg'l champs

MANILA, Philippines - The 2011 Sweet 16 Finals of the Philippine Collegiate Champions League gets going tomorrow with La Salle taking on South Luzon and Bicol champion University of Batangas and National U clashing with North and Central Luzon titlist University of Northern Phl at The Arena in San Juan City.

The Archers and the Bulldogs, who made it through the qualifiers by disposing of champion teams in the other Metro Manila leagues, battle the Brahmans at 4 p.m. and the Sharks at 2 p.m., respectively, hoping to stay alive in the stepladder format being implemented this year.

No less than PCCL chair Rey Gamboa and tournament director and commissioner Joe Lipa ushered in the event staking P400,000 worth of scholarship grants to the champion courtesy of PLDT and Smart in yesterday’s press conference at ABS-CBN’s ELJ Building in Quezon City.

“PCCL in partnership with the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas and 33 collegiate leagues nationwide is pursuing the dream of Manny V. Pangilinan to have one national collegiate champion every end of the collegiate season,” said Gamboa.

Gamboa along with ABS-CBN vice president for communications Peter Musngi also announced all Sweet 16 games will be shown live on Studio 23 not just to provide the league exposure but also give collegiate cage fans a chance to see their favorite teams and players in action.

Reigning UAAP four-peat champion Ateneo is gunning for a record third straight crown and fourth overall. The Eagles have been seeded into the Final Four outright along with the San Beda Lions, the reigning NCAA titlists.

“Coach Norman’s instruction is for us to win every tournament we participate,” said Ateneo player Bacon Austria referring to Black, currently handling the Sinag Pilipinas team in the SEA Games in Jakarta.

NU athletic director Junel Baculi, for his part, likes his team’s chances in the upcoming tournament.

“Bobby Ray Parks and Emmanuel Mbe are both playing so we’re confident we can compete against the best,” said Baculi.

Focus will also be on the Archers, now handled by head coach Gie Abanilla with Jong Uichico as consultant.

Joshua Webb, the most seasoned in the current La Salle roster, said he’s happy with the way his team is developing.

“Well, roughly, we’re all been practicing for two weeks. It’s just us trying to learn the system and we’re improving everyday,” said Webb, expected to play a major role under Abanilla after getting minimal minutes from former mentor Dindo Pumaren.

A win over the Brahmans will line the Archers against the Santo Tomas Tigers, Letran Knights, the Far Eastern U Tams and the Lions to get a crack at the crown.

Webb, however, said that’s thinking too far ahead.

“That’s actually a possibility and for it to happen, we have to practically climb a mountain so we’re taking it a game at a time,” said Webb.

The other schools that made it through are San Sebastian, Adamson, Jose Rizal, Southwestern U and University of Cebu.