Tamaraws, Knights head NCC Elite Eight

NEWLY MINTED UAAP champion Far Eastern University and NCAA titlist Letran headline the teams that already clinched seats in the Elite Eight of the 2015 National Collegiate Championship this month.

The Tamaraws bagged their first championship in a decade after edging the University of Santo Tomas Tigers last week.

The win also gave the Tamaraws an automatic entry to the Elite Eight, along with the Knights who also ended a 10-year drought with their victory over the San Beda Red Lions last October.

Cebu champion University of San Carlos Warriors, UAAP losing finalist UST and NCAA runner-up San Beda also gained automatic slots to the last eight.

Lyceum Northwestern advances

Lyceum Northwestern gained a spot in the final qualifying phase after topping the North-Central Luzon tournament at the expense of La Union representative La Finn’s Scholastica Lion Hearts, 88-78.

Eleven more teams are disputing the last three spots in different qualifying tournaments all over the country.

The Visayas-Mindanao qualifier, which dangles one spot to the Elite Eight, gets going today in Ormoc with University of Visayas, University of San Jose-Recoletos Jaguars and Holy Trinity College vying for the berth.

The Luzon-Metro Manila Qualifying Games start tomorrow at Technological Institute of Philippines Gym and Faith Gym in Tanauan City, Batangas.

NCAA teams Mapua and Jose Rizal University will dispute the two spots to the Elite Eight against National University, St. Claire College, TIP, PATTS, Olivarez College, Lyceum Northwestern University as well as the Northern-Central Luzon champion and the South Luzon-Bicol winner.