MANILA—Teams from the UAAP and NCAA lived up to the hype, scoring convincing victories yesterday to close in on the four Sweet 16 berths at stake in the Metro Manila-Luzon zonal tournament of the Philippine Collegiate Champions League at the Arellano Gym in Manila.
University of the East downed Perpetual Laguna, 80-44, to set up a knockout duel with University of Manila, while National U cruised past San Beda-Alabang, 75-57, and gained a crack at a national finals slot against Colegio de Sta. Monica.
The trio of James Martinez, Paul Lee and Ken Acibar combined for 41 points to pace the Warriors.
The Bulldogs, who made the biggest turnaround in the UAAP by ending up with a 7-7 record, drew a game-high 22 points from point guard Joseph Terso.
NCAA teams Letran and Arellano also looked poised to advance from their respective groups.
The Knights overwhelmed University of Baguio, 76-49, making their duel with St. Francis today another do-or-die duel for a Sweet 16 spot.
The Chiefs proved too strong for Sorsogon’s Computer Communication Institute, 94-80, with NCAA mythical five member Adrian Celada firing 20 points.