Cagayan de Oro champion STI ruled the four-team Mindanao regional tournament of the Philippine Collegiate Champions League Wednesday at the Almendras Gym in Davao City.
The Olympians, who sealed a place in the Sweet 16, bested Jose Maria College of Davao in the finals after toppling Ateneo de Zamboanga in the Final Four.
STI advanced against CESAFI champion University of Cebu in the Sweet 16 with the winner earning a shot at the Southern Philippines championship and a place in the national semifinals.
The remaining slot for the Southern Philippines championship will be contested by Southwestern U and the Visayas champion on Nov 28 in Ormoc City.
Already assured of semifinal slots are UAAP champion Ateneo and NCAA titlist San Beda.
The league is adapting the stepladder format for Metro Manila and Luzon teams contesting the other semifinal slot.
“Having gone through a gruelling competition, we wanted to reward the champions of the major leagues—UAAP, NCAA and CESAFI,” said tournament commissioner Joe Lipa at the press conference launching the Sweet 16 at the ELJ Building in Quezon City.
“The Champions League has grown during the past three years to be a truly nationwide search for the national collegiate champion,” PCCL chair Rey Gamboa said.