Jeff Alvin Viernes sizzled in second half as University of Manila rallied from 15 points down to stun host Lyceum of the Philippines, 77-74, and secure a berth in the Sweet 16 of the Philippine Collegiate Champions League on Thursday at the Lyceum gym in Intramuros.

The 5-foot-7 Viernes scored 20 of his game-high 28 points in the second half while RJ Patricio hit the go-ahead basket in the dying seconds that gave the Hawks their first-ever Sweet 16 appearance.

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

"Medyo slow start kami pero unti-unti nakapagadjust kami sa laro,” said UM coach Jojo Castillo, who made his third Sweet 16 appearance since leading Manuel L. Quezon University twice.

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

But the speedy Viernes answered with a booming trey to give UM the lead, 74-73, with barely two minutes to play before LPU's Andre Mendoza split his foul shots to tie the game.

That set up Patricio's game-winner as he came through with a huge putback off a bungled driving layup by Viernes with 17.4 ticks left.