Warriors seek spot in Sweet 16 versus Generals

Former champion University of the East starts its bid for a spot in the FilOil Flying V “Sweet 16” Final Challenge as the Warriors clash with the Emilio Aguinaldo College (EAC) side today in the zonal phase of the 2008 Philippine Collegiate Championship games.

The Warriors, who won the national title two years ago but failed to defend it last year, battle the Generals, a wildcard qualifier, in the 2 p.m. main game.

Fr. Martin Cup champion Arellano University, meanwhile, takes on Region 1 titlist St. Louie University at 10 a.m. while NCAA-South runner-up Lyceum of Batangas tangles with Luzon University at 12 noon.

Three regional champions and nine qualifiers from Metro-Manila leagues are competing for finals slots.

The teams are divided into four groups with Group A composed of Mapua, Lyceum-Batangas and University of Luzon. Arellano University; St. Louis University and University of Santo Tomas make up Group B while Group C includes Lyceum-Manila, Don Bosco-Mandaluyong and University of Nueva Caceres. UE, EAC and St. Clare are in Group D.

The top team in each group will join Ateneo, San Beda, De La Salle, Jose Rizal University, San Sebastian-Cavite, University of Visayas, MLQU and UCN in the elite “Sweet 16”.

Rey Gamboa, Philippine Collegiate Champions League (PCCL) chairman, said that admission is free to all the zonal games at Makati Coliseum starting today up to Nov. 6.

This is in line with the PCCL’s objective of providing the students and collegiate basketball fans the opportunity to watch their alma mater teams compete with the best teams coming from the different regions nationwide.

Gamboa also announced that there is an ongoing survey as to the top choices for the remaining eight slots in the “Sweet 16”.

Interested fans may log in at www.CollegiateChampionsLeague.net and submit your choices of teams that will advance to the FilOil Flying V “Sweet 16” Final Challenge. Those with most number of correct choices will receive surprise gifts from the sponsors.