INQUIRER Sports

MANILA, Philippines - Hardly showing any rust, Far Eastern University and San Beda flashed their old winning ways Monday to advance to the quarterfinals of the Philippine Collegiate Champions League at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.

Playing their first game since losing to University of the East in the UAAP Final Four more than a month ago, the Tamaraws looked sharp in a 69-59 trouncing of Arellano University.

The Lions, one month removed from their NCAA finals defeat to the San Sebastian Stags, turned their ?Sweet 16? showdown with Naascu champion San Sebastian-Cavite into a virtual workout with a 91-50 victory.

FEU will clash with the winner between University of the East and University of Cebu, while San Beda awaits the survivor of the Mapua-University of Visayas showdown in the next round of this tournament backed by Smart and PLDT.

The Tamaraws raced to 14-point leads in the first half, but needed a fiery finish to hold off the Chiefs, who moved within four points, 45-49, late in the third period.

?We relaxed after we took a double-digit lead,? said FEU coach Glenn Capacio.

Sanga?s last triple put the Tamaraws firmly in control, 62-48, with seven minutes left.

The Lions overwhelmed the Baycats with their air-tight defense, holding their rivals to 17-of-80 shooting for the entire game.

The scores:

First Game
FEU 69?Garcia 17, Ramos 15, Noundou 10, Sanga 8, Cervantes 8, Cervantes 8, Exciminiano 4, Knuttel 4, Cawaling 3, Guerrero 0, Vinluan 0.

ARELLANO 59?G. Ciriacruz 17, Tayongtong 11, Apostol 9, Anquilo 7, Rivera 6, Celada 6, Virtudazo 3, Agustin 0, Reducto 0.
Quarters: 21-9, 33-29, 52-45, 69-59

Second Game
SAN BEDA 91?Gamalinda 18, Pascual 14, Dela Rosa 11, Lanete 11, Villanueva 8, Soliman 7, Solera 6, Caram 6, Daniel 5, Lim 3, Tecson 2.

SAN SEBASTIAN CAVITE 50?Filio 12, Alcasabas 8, Pasagui 5, Gracilla 4, Lucernas 3, Antipuesto 2, Basa 2, Callado 2, Acain 2, Atangan 2, Dela Cruz 2, Pono 2, Escobal 2.
Quarters: 19-6, 46-14, 67-28, 91-50