Cards, Bombers Elite 8 drive under way

Mapua and Jose Rizal U kick off their respective campaign for the Elite Eight today as they tangle with Technological Institute of the Philippines and PATTS, respectively, in the Luzon-Metro Manila Qualifying Games of the National Collegiate Championship.

The Luzon-Metro Manila Qualifying Games are scheduled today and tomorrow at TIP gym in Manila before action shifts to FAITH Gym, Tanauan, Batangas, for games on Dec. 12 and 13.

Aside from the Cardinals and the Bombers, third and fourth placers, respectively, in this year’s NCAA, the TIP and PATTS, also vying in the elims are the National U Bulldogs from UAAP, St. Claire College from NAASCU, Olivarez College, South Luzon-Bicol champion and Lyceum Northwestern University Dukes, Northern-Central Luzon champion.

Already in the Elite Eight are UAAP champion Far Eastern U, NCAA titlist Letran, CESAFI-Cebu winner University of San Carlos, UAAP runner-up University of Santo Tomas and NCAA second placer San Beda College.

Meanwhile, the Visayas-Mindanao Qualifying Games are ongoing at presstime with University of Visayas, University of San Jose-Recoletos, Holy Trinity College, Mindanao champion, and University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos, winner of the Visayas Islands regional games, disputing berths in the Elite Eight.

UNO-Recoletos Rams joined the Visayas-Mindanao Qualifying Games by defeating the Western Leyte College Mustangs, 78-69, in the finals. Kim Dimaranan shot 18 points while Patrick Yulo and Ritcher Santillan added 16 points each to power the team to victory and a crack at the Elite Eight seat.

The NCC is an annual multi-level nationwide competition organized and managed by Philippine Collegiate Champions League to determine the national collegiate champion for the year. Backers of the event are ABS-CBN, Phoenix Petroleum, Molten Balls, Fil-Oil Flying V Sports, Fog City Creamery and Foccacia. Tickets are available at SM Tickets online.