MANILA – After contrasting fates in the UAAP Season 72, arch-rivals Ateneo Blue Eagles and De La Salle Green Archers begin their quest for a possible showdown in the 2009 Philippine Collegiate Champions League (PCCL) Sweet 16.

The Blue Eagles, who won back-to-back titles both in the UAAP and UniGames, are heavily favored to hurdle ISAA (Inter Scholastic Athletic Association) champion Lyceum Pirates in their 4 p.m. encounter on Wednesday at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.

The Green Archers, on the other hand, will have their hands full against the Letran Knights at 2 p.m.

The Eagles were automatically seeded in the tournament by virtue of making it to the UAAP Final Four and eventually bagging their 2nd straight title while the Green Archers went via the backdoor to keep their chances of defending their PCCL crown.

Coach Dindo Pumaren, who replaced his brother Franz, steered the Green Archers to a sweep of their Naga Zonal games against St. Francis of Assisi, Don Bosco Technical College and University of Nueva Caceres to earn a berth in the Sweet 16.

The Green Archers will be facing the Louie Alas-mentored Knights who reached the NCAA Final Four, but were ousted by the San Beda Red Lions.

Joshua Webb and Peejay Barua, who shone in the Naga Zonals, will be leading the charge for the Green Archers while Smart Gilas-RP Team standout RJ Jazul will try to lead the Knights, who are still missing the services of Rey Guevarra (ACL injury).

In the main game, the Eagles are tipped to easily join Day 1 winners Far Eastern University Tamaraws and San Beda Red Lions in the Elite Eight.  

The Ateneo-Lyceum winner will face the Jose Rizal Univesity-University of Sto. Tomas victor.

The winner between La Salle vs Letran, meanwhile, will next play the San Sebastian College-University of San Carlos winner in the Elite Eight.

The games are aired live over Studio23 with a same day delayed telecast at SkyCable TV’s Balls Channel.  Ringside tickets are pegged at P50 while general admission is free. – Alder T. Almo

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