INQUIRER Sports

MANILA, Philippines?San Beda and Far Eastern University start their quest against dangerous foes in the ?Sweet 16? of the 2009 Philippine Collegiate Champions League on Monday at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.

The Lions, looking to erase the stigma of their NCAA title loss to San Sebastian College, duel the San Sebastian-Cavite Baycats at 4 p.m.

With national developmental pool standouts JR Cawaling and Aldrech Ramos bannering their bid, the Tamaraws, who claimed an outright berth in the tournament by landing third in the UAAP, are heavy favorites over the Arellano Chiefs in the 2 p.m. opener.

The Chiefs will be bannered by Adrian Celada and Gio Ciriacruz, a member of the mythical five in the NCAA where they finished fifth.

Arellano survived a tough zonal tournament in Bacolod City, where the Chiefs beat University of San Carlos and Visayas powerhouse West Negros U early this month.

The back-to-back Naascu champion stunned UAAP fifth placer Adamson University in the Cebu zonal to clinch a slot in the national finals.

The winner of the FEU-Arellano clash will play either University of the East or University of Cebu in the quarterfinals.

The survivor of the San Beda-SSC match will meet the winner of the Mapua-University of the Visayas duel in the next round of the tournament sponsored by PLDT and Smart Communications.