University of Batangas trounced Ateneo de Naga, 81-74, Sunday to wrest the Southern-Luzon Bicol regional title of the Philippine Collegiate Champions League in Naga City.
The Brahmans clinched a berth in the stepladder Sweet 16 tournament, where they will meet UAAP squad La Salle in a first round meeting on Saturday at the FilOil Flying V Arena in San Juan.
The Batangas City-based Brahmans, champions of the North Batangas Open League, reached the national finals after ruling the field that also included Amanda Cope College of Tabaco, Sorsogon winner Lewis College and University of Perpetual Help-Laguna and University of Lucena.
Clashing in the other Sweet 16 showdown on Saturday are National U and Northern-Southern Luzon champion University of Northern Philippines from Vigan City.
The winner of the NU-UNP duel will next face Jose Rizal U, while the survivor of the La Salle-UB match advances to the next round against University of Santo Tomas.
UAAP champion Ateneo and NCAA titlist San Beda are already assured of berths in the round robin semifinals.
Cebu champion University of Cebu and Southwestern U have also clinched Sweet 16 berths, along with San Sebastian, Letran, Far Eastern U and Adamson.