INQUIRER Sports

FIERCE RIVALS ATENEO AND LA Salle take on separate opponents in the “Sweet 16” of the Philippine Collegiate Champions League (PCCL) Wednesday over a month after meeting contrasting fates in this season’s UAAP basketball tournament.

The Blue Eagles, returning to action since capturing their second straight UAAP men’s crown, clash with the Lyceum Pirates at 4 p.m. at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.

But the rookie-laden Green Archers, the tournament’s defending champion, aim to rebound from their worst UAAP run against the Letran Knights at 2 p.m.

While the Eagles earned an outright berth, the Archers took a longer route heading to the final phase of the league that gathers the top collegiate teams in the country.

The Archers, who crashed out of the UAAP Final Four for the first time, secured a “Sweet 16” slot after ruling the Metro Manila-South Luzon-Bicol zonals in Naga City two weeks ago.

Powered by veterans Rabeh Al-Hussaini, Jai Reyes and Nonoy Baclao, the Eagles loom as the heavy favorite against the late entry Pirates.

Lyceum, the Inter-Scholastic Athletic Association champion, advanced following the disqualification of zonals qualifier University of Manila Hawks.

The Hawks fielded two ineligible players in the Metro Manila-North Luzon zonals, prompting league officials to award the slot to the runner-up Pirates.

The tournament only allows teams to field players who saw action in their respective mother leagues.

Multititled coach Franz Pumaren will call the shots in his final tournament with the Archers before officially turning over the reins to younger brother and assistant Dindo next year.

Led by sophomore Joshua Webb, the Archers aim to sustain their winning run after sweeping their three assignments in the Naga zonals.