Games this Saturday
(The Arena, San Juan)
2 p.m. – UC vs UE
4 p.m. – UV vs Mapua

University of the East tries to join UAAP Finals tormentor Ateneo in the quarterfinals when it battles University of Cebu this Saturday in the resumption of the 2009 Philippine Collegiate Champions League at The Arena in San Juan.

UE and UC tangle at 2 p.m. before the Mapua Cardinals collide with University of Visayas Lancers at 4 p.m.

The Lancers finished runners-up to the Eagles two years ago but were big disappointment last year after being eliminated by the UE Warriors in the Sweet 16.

UV coach Elmer Cabahug hopes that 6-foot-11 big man Greg Slaughter, CESAFI's Most Valuable Player, Ritchum Dennison, rookie Emman Calo and Harold Cincoflores will hold their ground against the Cardinals.

The Lancers have a reach winning history in Visayas, and in fact, produced a number of PBA stars in the past.

Ateneo and Letran have already secured their slots in the tournament sponsored by Smart and PLDT by downing their respective rivals.

Mapua, bannered by Allan Mangahas, reached the Sweet 16 for the fourth straight time by ruling the Manila zonals held at the La Consolacion College gym in Mendiola.

The Webmasters coached by ex-pro Rhoel Gomez finished second to the Green Lancers in the best-of-five CESAFI finals despite the presence of 6-foot-9 June Mar Fajardo, who co-shared the MVP honors with Slaughter.

UE could possibly play without big man Elmer Espiritu and Val Acuña because of their stints with the Philippine Patriots in the ASEAN Basketball League but Paul Lee and Pari Llagasare expected to power the squad of coach Lawrence Chongson.