Arellano and West Negros University hammered out contrasting victories Wednesday night to start their bids for the Sweet 16 in the Visayas-Mindanao zonal phase of the 2009 Philippine Collegiate Champions League in Bacolod City.

The Chiefs, who finished fifth in the NCAA, survived a spirited challenge by CESAFI fourth-placer University of San Carlos, 79-74, while the Mustangs scored a 93-77 rout of Mindanao regional champion Holy Trinity College. — Jonas Terrado