CHAMPS LEAGUE CAGING
Mustangs sweep Region 4, reach zonals
By Cedelf P. Tupas
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 02:01:00 10/21/2008
MANILA, Philippines—West Negros University swept the Region 4 qualifying tournament of the Smart-PLDT-KFC Philippine Collegiate Champions League at the WNU Gym in Bacolod City over the weekend.
The Mustangs, the Bacolod champions the past 10 years, capped their dominance with a 74-68 victory over University of Iloilo in the finals Sunday night.
With playmaker Alfie Villariza at the helm, West Negros trounced Colegio San Agustin-Bacolod, 69-63, before prevailing over John B. Lacson Maritime University, 76-64, in the two-day tournament.
The Mustangs of Anthony Agustin advanced to the six-team zonal championship scheduled Nov. 9 to 11 in Ormoc City, where the top two squads will clinch spots to the “Sweet 16” national finals.
The Mustangs will go up against Bohol International College, AMA Computer of Ormoc, University of San Jose-Recoletos and University of Cebu and NCAA third placer Letran College.
Villariza finished with only eight points against UI but power forward Ryan Flores ably picked up the slack by coming up with 20 markers, while Jeff Jacinto and Rolly Jaca combined for 21 markers.
West Negros, the 2005 National University Games titlist and the 2006 National Students Basketball Champion with a team led by current Ateneo de Manila University standout Nonoy Baclao and Hapee rookie Ely Olarte, reached the "Sweet 16" last year, before losing to Jose Rizal University.