Cobras snap Lancers, rule PCCL Southern Islands

MANILA, Philippines - Southwestern University got back at CESAFI champion University of Visayas, 68-60, Wednesday at the Cebu Coliseum to win the PCCL Southern Islands Championship and reach the Final Four of the Philippine Collegiate Champions League (PCCL).

The Cobras, beaten by the Green Lancers in the CESAFI finals last month, will join UAAP champion La Salle and NCAA titlist San Beda College.

Only the slot reserved for the Luzon-Metro Manila champion is being awaited.

With Landry Sanjo and Monbert Arong doing the damage, the Cobras raced to a 34-9 lead before settling for a 37-16 halftime lead.

During the Sweet 16 stepladder for Southern Islands, University of San Carlos knocked out Iloilo Doctors College, 82-73, before being eliminated by the Cobras, 82-73.

UV, on the other hand, arranged the showdown with SWU by overwhelming Holy Trinity College, 100-80. Earlier, HTC ousted STI College-Cagayan de Oro, 98-94.

In the Metro Manila qualifying games for two seats in the Sweet 16, NAASCU champion, CEU Scorpions lead Group B with two wins after defeating EAC Generals, 73-54. Another win today over St. Francis of Assisi Doves, UCLAAI champion, will advance CEU to the Sweet 16 for the first time.

In Group A, University of the East escaped with an 81-79 win over NCBL champion, Technological Institute of the Philippines, 81-79.

The Warriors need only to beat Lyceum of the Philippines to barge into the Sweet 16 stepladder phase.

ABS-CBN Studio 23 will air live today starting at 2 p.m. the finals of the Metro Manila Qualifying games.