INQUIRER Sports

NCAA CHAMPION SAN SEBASTIAN AND University of Santo Tomas pulled off narrow victories Monday night to complete the quarterfinal cast of the Philippine Collegiate Champions League at the Ormoc Superdome in Ormoc City.

The Stags survived a gritty stand by the University of San Carlos Warriors in a 76-68 overtime victory, while the Tigers nipped the Jose Rizal U Bombers, 64-62.

San Sebastian arranged a last eight showdown with Letran, which advanced after ousting defending champion La Salle last week.

The victory sent the Tigers to a quarterfinal duel with UAAP champion Ateneo, the same team that booted them out in the UAAP Final Four two months ago.

Calvin Abueva fired six of his 13 points in overtime to carry the Stags, who blew a 10-point lead in the fourth quarter.

Sam Hermosa led the Warriors with 23 points, including 11 in the fourth period where USC battled back from a 42-52 deficit.

But the Stags tightened up in extra time and held the Warriors to a single field goal.

Khasim Mirza had 23 points, while UAAP MVP Dylan Ababou contributed 16 for the Tigers, who spoiled the coaching debut of Vergel Meneses.

The quarterfinals start today with San Beda clashing with Mapua and Far Eastern U battling University of the East in a rematch of their UAAP Final Four duel won by the Warriors.

The Lions advanced to the last eight, following a 91-50 drubbing of San Sebastian-Cavite, while the Cardinals stunned Cebu champion University of Visayas, 76-73.

The Tamaraws, who advanced after prevailing over Arellano, 69-59, are aching to get back at the Warriors.