San Carlos, Arellano in Sweet 16

Arellano University and University of San Carlos hurdled separate rivals on the final day of the Bacolod Visayas-Mindanao zonal phase of the 2009 Philippine Collegiate Champions League Friday to barge into the Sweet 16.

The Chiefs, who placed fifth in the NCAA, trounced host West Negros University, 79-67, while the Warriors walloped Mindanao regional champion Holy Trinity College, 86-63.

Both squads will join UAAP champion Ateneo, NCAA titlist San Sebastian, University of the East, San Beda, Jose Rizal University, Far Eastern University, University of Santo Tomas, Letran, and CESAFI winner University of the Visayas in the Sweet 16 which starts on November 23.

The Chiefs finished the single round eliminations with a perfect 3-0 record while the Warriors tallied a 2-1 record. The Mustangs, the Visayas regional winners, took third with 1-2 while Holy Trinity failed to win all three games.

Meanwhile, NAASCU champion San Sebastian College Recoletos de Cavite trounced CESAFI third placer University of San Jose Recoletos, 86-77, to open the Cebu version of the Vis-Min zonals Friday at the Cebu City Coliseum.

In a battle of sister schools, it was the Baycats who came out on top with NAASCU MVP Jun Gracilla firing 21 points in the victory.