INQUIRER Sports

UNIVERSITY OF NUEVA CACERES TOPPED the Southern Luzon-Bicol elimination round for the second straight year to advance to the zonal qualifying of the 2009 Philippine Collegiate Championship League (PCCL).

The Greyhounds, champions in the Naga City Charter Intercollegiate Basketball, swept all four assignments in the regionals to advance to the South Luzon-Metro Manila zonals on Nov. 12 to 14 in Naga City.

After trouncing Bicol Colleges, 76-66, in the opener, the Greyhounds toppled Tabaco?s Amando Cope College, 71-40; Sorsogon?s Computer Communications Development Institute, 69-62; and Quezon?s Calayan Educational Foundation of Quezon Cougars, 80-60, in the games held at the Naga City Center.

The Greyhounds, however, need to get past zonal contenders La Salle Green Archers (UAAP sixth placer), St. Francis of Assisi Doves (Universities and Colleges of Luzon Athletic Association champion) and the NCAA-South champion to claim a Sweet 16 berth.

Back-to-back UAAP champion Ateneo earned an outright berth in the Sweet 16.

UAAP runner-up University of the East and semifinalists Far Eastern University and University of Santo Tomas also earned slots along with NCAA Final Four teams San Sebastian, San Beda, Jose Rizal and Letran.

Apart from the Naga leg, the PCCL will also hold another zonal tournament in Cebu City, where Naascu champion San Sebastian Recoletos-Cavite and Adamson U will be competing.