PCCL: Tigers-Knights, Tams-Bulldogs clashes today

UNIVERSITY of Santo Tomas and Letran,  second placer in their respective leagues this season, clash for survival today in the Philippine Collegiate Champions League (PCCL) today at Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.

Reeling from the departure of stars to the pro ranks, the Tigers and the Knights collide in the Sweet 16 battle of the Luzon-Metro Manila division at 4 p.m.

Far Eastern University and National University tangle in the first game at 2 p.m.

The winners of the double-header will meet  tomorrow to fight for the last Final Four berth in the nationwide varsity competition.

New UAAP champion La Salle and four-time NCAA titlist San Beda earned outright semifinal berths, while Southwestern University clinched the third seat after ruling the Sweet 16 in the Visayas-Mindanao division.

The Tigers, who bowed to the Green Archers in last month’s thrilling UAAP title series, will have to do without veteran Jeric Teng, who’s now playing for Rain Or Shine in the PBA.

Raymond Almazan, the third overall PBA Draft pick now playing alongside Teng with the Elasto Painters, will also be missed by the Knights.

FEU faced the same problem with the absence of star guards RR Garcia and Terrence Romeo although the Tamaraws still posted a decisive 83-73 win over San Sebastian last Thursday.

“NU is a tough team,” said FEU coach Nash Racela. “We’ll just make do with what we have and we’ll find a way.”

Despite the absence of their prolific guards, the Tamaraws drew big games from Mac Belo (19 points and 14 rebounds), Achie Iñigo (14 points, six boards and four assists), Anthony Hargrove (14 points and 15 rebounds) and Mike Tolomia (11 points, six boards and eight assists).

The Bulldogs advanced  after  a 73-63 triumph over University of the East behind Ray Parks’ 18 points, 15 rebounds and eight assists.