Hawks sink Pirates for PCCL seat

MANILA, Philippines - Jeff Alvin Viernes made a spectacular second half onslaught as University of Manila Hawks rallied from 15 points down to stun the Lyceum of the Philippines Pirates, 77-74, to earn a berth in the Sweet 16 of the Philippine Collegiate Champions League yesterday at the Lyceum gym in Intramuros.

Viernes erupted for 20 of his game-high 28 points in the second half while RJ Patricio hit the go-ahead basket in the dying seconds to lift the Hawks to their first-ever Sweet 16 berth.

The Gastambide-based squad, who earned a spot in this qualifying round by virtue of finishing second in the NAASCU tourney, finished the double-round eliminations with a perfect 3-0 record.

“We started slow but we eventually settled down,” said UM coach Jojo Castillo, who made his third Sweet 16 berth after stints with Manuel L. Quezon University.

Viernes, the NAASCU Rookie of the Year, gave the Hawks their biggest lead at seven (63-56) with 8:39 to play after being down majority of the first half but the Pirates regained the lead, 73-71, on a Floricel Guevarra triple with 3:48 left.