Tams, Lions win in '16' opener

Far Eastern University and San Beda defeated separate rivals yesterday in the Sweet 16 of the 2009 Philippine Collegiate Champions League at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.

The Tamaraws, playing their first game since losing to University of the East in the UAAP Final Four two months ago, overcame a jittery showing to defeat Arellano, 69-59, while the Red Lions, coming off a shocking loss to San Sebastian in the NCAA finals, bombarded two-time NAASCU champion San Sebastian Cavite, 90-51.

FEU advanced to the quarterfinals against the winner of the other pairing between UE and University of Cebu while San Beda will play either CESAFI titlist University of the Visayas or Mapua.

The squad of coach Glenn Capacio turned to point guard RR Garcia and Aldrech Ramos with 17 and 15 points, respectively, while Cameroonian Pipo Noundou added 10 markers to repel the pesky challenge of the Chiefs.

Gio Ciriacruz, a Mythical Five member during the NCAA season, topscored with 17 points while John Tayongtong added 11 but Arellano failed in its bid to enter the next round for the second straight season.

Meanwhile, the Red Lions had an easy time against the Baycats starting the game with a quick 12-2 blast then forced the squad of coach Egay Macaraya to just 14 first-half points.

Bambam Gamalinda tallied with 18 points, 13 rebounds and five assists as the Mendiola-based squad exact revenge of sorts on San Sebastian by pummeling its sister school from Cavite City.

San Beda played minus key players in Dave Marcelo and Borgie Hermida because of several ailments.

Particularly absent was Hermida, who suffered a deep cut during Game 2 of the finals last October.

Bryan Fillo was the lone double digit scorer for the Baycats with 12 points.

Fellow southpaw guard Jhun Gracilla, the NAASCU Most Valuable Player, was held to just four points while big man Kris Lucernas, the league's MVP in 2008, had just three markers.

The Scores:

First Game

FEU 69 – Garcia 17, Ramos 15, Noundou 10, Sanga 8, Cervantes 8, Cervantes 8, Exciminiano 4, Knuttel 4, Cawaling 3, Guerrero 0, Vinluan 0.

ARELLANO 59 – G. Ciriacruz 17, Tayongtong 11, Apostol 9, Anquilo 7, Rivera 6, Celada 6, Virtudazo 3, Agustin 0, Reducto 0, I. Ciriacruz 0.

Quarters: 21-9, 33-29, 52-45, 69-59
 
Second Game

SAN BEDA 91 – Gamalinda 18, Pascual 14, Dela Rosa 11, Lanete 11, Villanueva 8, Soliman 7, Solera 6, Caram 6, Daniel 5, Lim 3, Tecson 2

SAN SEBASTIAN CAVITE 50 – Filio 12, Alcasabas 8, Pasagui 5, Gracilla 4, Lucernas 3, Antipuesto 2, Basa 2, Callado 2, Acain 2, Atangan 2, Dela Cruz 2, Pono 2, Escobal 2, Pantonia 0.

Quarters: 19-6, 46-14, 67-28, 91-50