LA UNION’S La Finns Scholastica tries to book a return trip to the Sweet 16 when the North-Central Luzon regional qualifier of the Philippine Collegiate Champions League (PCCL) gets going this week.
But the Lion Hearts will be up against four champions in the tournament where the winner will advance together with the South Luzon-Bicol eliminations winner and top Metro Manila teams in the stepladder Round of 16.
Expected to give the Lion Hearts a tough fight are University of Northern Philippines, the State Colleges and Universities Athletic Association (SCUAA) champion; University of Baguio, the Baguio-Benguet Educational Athletic League (BBEAL) winner; Lyceum Northwestern University, the Colleges Athletic Association of Pangasinan (UCAAP) king; and United Central Luzon Athletic Association (UCLAA) champion Lyceum of Subic Bay.
UNP captured the SCUAA crown after tripping Mariano Marcos State University of Ilocos Norte, 82-67. Before the finals, the Vigan-based squad also disposed of Don M. Marcos Memorial State U of La Union and Pangasinan State University.
UB outlasted University of the Cordilleras for the BBEAL title. Jasmine W. Payo