Archers, Bulldogs face regional titlists

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Collegiate Champions League (PCCL) Sweet 16 Finals fires off today with La Salle and National U seeking victories and spots in the next round of the knockout tournament at the FilOil Flying V Arena, San Juan.

The Bulldogs, who made it here with a solid finish in the Metro Manila qualifier, take on the University of Northern Philippines Sharks, winner of the North-Central Luzon regional games at 2 p.m.

The Archers, who took the other NCR berth, battle the University of Batangas Brahmans, the South Luzon-Bicol champions, in the 4 p.m. main game of a twinbill kicking off a series of knockout matches among the country’s top varsity schools.

Both games will be aired live on Studio 23.

The winner of the NU-UNP matchup will meet Jose Rizal University, the NCAA fourth placer, on Nov. 21, also at The Arena.

The victor in the La Salle-Batangas game will meet the UST Growling Tigers, the UAAP fourth placers, also on Monday.

The other teams in the “stepladder” phase of the Luzon-Metro Manila bracket are Adamson, UAAP third placer, Letran, NCAA third placer, FEU, UAAP runner-up, and San Sebastian College-Recoletos, NCAA runner-up.

The winner of the Luzon-Metro Manila bracket will join Ateneo, UAAP champion, and NCAA champion San Beda College in the Final Four. The other slot in the Final Four is reserved for the overall southern islands champion.

Joe Lipa, PCCL executive director, said STI took the second-to-the-last Sweet 16 seat. The Olympians defeated the Jose Maria College Kings of Davao, 104-98, in the championship game at the Almendras gym, Davao City, recently.

The Mindanao championship game will be shown on Studio 23 channel tomorrow from 12 noon to 2 p.m.

For details, log on to www.ChampionsChampionsLeague.net.