INQUIRER Sports

MANILA, Philippines—University of San Carlos advanced to the zonal qualifying tournament of the Philippine Collegiate Champions League by snaring third place at the expense of University of San Jose Recoletos in the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. (Cesafi) Monday night.

The Warriors completed a 2-1 series victory over the Jaguars with a masterful 91-79 conquest at the Cebu Coliseum.

With the win, the Warriors moved into the Nov. 4 to 6 zonal tournament in Bacolod City, where two slots to the “Sweet 16” of the tournament backed by Smart and PLDT will be disputed.

USC will contend with NCAA fifth placer Arellano University, Mindanao champion Holy Trinity College of General Santos City and Visayas titlist West Negros University.

USJR faces a more difficult climb as it figures in the Nov. 6 to 8 zonals in Cebu against UAAP fifth placer Adamson University, Naascu champion San Sebastian Cavite and the Cesafi losing finalist.

The Cesafi title, which also guarantees an automatic slot to the Sweet 16, remained hanging in the balance after University of Cebu forged a 1-all tie in the best-of-five finals series with defending champion University of Visayas.

Rommel Luceño drilled in a triple with 19 seconds left to lift the Webmasters to a 71-70 overtime win in Game 2.

UC coach Roel Gomez said he expects the series to go the full route.

Meanwhile, defending PCCL champion De La Salle University guns for a Sweet 16 slot in the zonal games in Naga City starting Nov. 12. Cedelf P. Tupas