MANILA, Philippines—De La Salle and National U proved too strong for their respective foes Thursday to advance to the Sweet 16 of the Philippine Collegiate Champions League at the FilOil-Flying V Arena in San Juan.
The Archers, looking to bounce back after failing to make the Final Four in the UAAP, repulsed the Centro Escolar University Scorpions, 79-51, after the Bulldogs ovewhelmed the University of Manila Hawks, 103-74, to reach the stepladder Sweet 16 opposite the South Luzon champions.
The Archers forged a duel with Northern/Central Luzon champion University of North Philippines on Nov. 19. The winner will face Jose Rizal U.
Emmanuel Mbe fired a game-high 29 points for the Bulldogs, who were hardly troubled even without reigning UAAP MVP Bobby Ray Parks, who has opted to focus with the National team in the ongoing Southeast Asian Games in Indonesia.
Reden Celda also sparkled with 14 points, while guards Cedric Labing-isa and Joshua Alolino combined for 20 markers.
The Hawks came within 43-50 on Jeff Viernes’ triple, before Celda fired five straight points to spark the breakaway for the Bulldogs, who built a 73-57 lead heading into the final period.
Playing their second game under new coach Gee Abanilla, the Archers unleashed a balanced attack against the MNCAA champion Scorpions with five players led by Joshua Webb and Almond Vosotros hitting at least nine points.
UAAP champion Ateneo and NCAA titlist San Beda already clinched berths to the semifinals.
Newly minted CESAFI champions University of Cebu has already qualified to the Sweet 16, along with Cebu runner-up Southwestern U.
Also assured of Sweet 16 berths are UAAP teams Far Eastern U, Adamson and University of Santo Tomas as well as NCAA squads San Sebastian and Letran.