Batangas U, Naga CF fives lead SL-Bicol q’fying victors

University of Batangas and Naga College Foundation got off to rousing starts yesterday in the Southern Luzon-Bicol qualifying tournament of the Philippine Collegiate Champions League at Robredo Coliseum in Naga City.

The UB Brahmans rolled past Computer Communication Development Institute of Sorsogon, 79-61, while NCF crushed Amando Cope College, 100-72.

Only the No. 1 team in the round-robin qualifier will advance to the Luzon-Metro Manila regional games, where some of the powerhouse contenders include former UAAP champion La Salle and NCAA semifinalists Jose Rizal University and Perpetual Help.

In Dagupan City, five teams from North-Central Luzon also tangle in a qualifier this week to fight for the last regionals slot.

The winner from among University of Northern Philippines of Vigan, University of Baguio, Lyceum of Subic Bay of Zambales, La Finns Scholastica of La Union and host Lyceum Northwestern University will advance to the regional games starting Nov. 9 in Batangas.

The other qualifiers in the Luzon-Metro Manila regionals are Centro Escolar University, the reigning champion in the National Athletic Association of Schools, College and Universities (Naascu), and Metro Manila leg finalists St. Clare and Diliman College.

The regionals winner will join the Elite Eight cast made up of UAAP champion National University and runner-up Far Eastern University, five-time NCAA titlist San Beda and second placer Arellano, Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc.’s (Cesafi) finalists Southwestern University and University of San Carlos, and Visayas-Mindanao leg winner University of Visayas.  Jasmine W. Payo