Luzon qualifier for Champs League unfolds today

MANILA, Philippines - The top four teams from Northern and Central Luzon compete for the Philippine Champions League regional championship starting today at the Divine World Gym, Dagupan City.

Vying for a spot to the Manila zonal qualifying games next month are the University of Northern Philippines (UNP) Sharks, University of Baguio Cardinals, Lyceum Northwestern University Dukes and the Lyceum of Subic Bay Sharks.

All four teams topped their respective leagues to advance to the regionals.

The UNP Sharks captured the SCUAA-Lauro Tacbas Cup after beating the Pangasinan State University Red Warriors, 86-74, in Vigan.

The Cardinals upset defending champion Saint Louis University, 75-68, to rule the Baguio-Benguet Educational Athletic League (BEAL) while the Dukes outscored the Pan Pacific University North Luzon Cruisers, 115-103, in the final of the Universities and Colleges Association of Pangasinan (UCAP).

The Sharks swept the United Central Luzon Athletic Association (UCLAA). 

The regional champion will advance to the Manila zonals set Nov. 9-12, joining UCAA champions Universal College Dragons, NAASCU runners-up University of Manila Hawks, the ISSA and PISCUAA champions and the NCAA sixth placer.

The top two teams in the Manila zonals will advance to the “Sweet 16” Finals.

Details on the 2009 Philippine Collegiate Championship games sponsored by PLDT and Smart can be obtained at the PCCL official website, www.CollegiateChampionsLeague.net.