INQUIRER Sports

BACOLOD CITY— Arellano University unloaded 16 triples and crushed Holy Trinity College, 108-47, Thursday to gain the inside track in the chase for two “Sweet 16” berths in the Philippine Collegiate Champions League zonal tournament.

The Chiefs cruised to their second straight victory in the four-team tournament with Jerry Miranda firing six triples to finish with 24 points at the West Negros University Gym.

University of San Carlos stunned West Negros University, 71-57, in a later game to stay in the hunt.

The Warriors, who lost to the Chiefs, 74-79, last Thursday, frustrated the Mustangs with their tough defense to grab a 35-20 lead late in the first half.

The Chiefs still need to beat the Mustangs to secure their spot in the Sweet 16. If the Mustangs win and the Warriors prevail over the Wildcats in their last game, the quotient system will be applied to break the tie.

Another zonal tournament, which also dangles two spots to the national finals backed by Smart and PLDT, got under way in Cebu yesterday with San Sebastian Cavite battling University of San Jose Recoletos and Adamson taking on University of Cebu.

The scores:
First Game
ARELLANO 108—Miranda 24, I. Ciriacruz 13, Anquilo 13, G. Ciriacruz 10, Catapang 10, Celada 9, Agustin 6, Apostol 4, Salcedo 4, Tayongtong 4, Reducto 4.

HTC 47—Masaglang 10, Pragados 9, Roxas 7, Desaville 4, Versoza 3, De Mesa 3, Lamanilao 3, De Leon 2, Landricho 2, Masana 2, Esguerra 2.
Quarters: 23-8, 44-21, 73-41, 108-47

Second Game
USC 71—Cortes 14, Bautista 12, Padillo 10, Gallarde 7, Hermosa 7, Cantonao 6, Otida 4, Bakker 4, Panerio 3, Codilla 2, Padayao 2.

WNU 57—Villariza 20, Jacinto 11, Jaca 9, Dapar 4, Suyod 4, Javelona 3, Lauron 2, Sumido 0, Agudelo 0, Merin 0.
Quarters: 17-16, 35-25, 54-43, 71-57