Former NCAA Rookie of the Year Allan Mangahas went on a shooting clinic as Mapua crushed La Consolacion, 78-58, Thursday to earn a Sweet 16 berth in the 2009 Philippine Collegiate Champions League at the La Consolacion gym in Mendiola.

Mangahas fired 21 of his 23 points in the first half as he was key in the Cardinals' second quarter flurry to complete the other half of the North/Central Luzon-Metro Manila zonal phase with a perfect 3-0 record.

The Intramuros-based squad became the 15th team to reach the tournament’s main draw scheduled for November 23 joining the likes of UAAP champion Ateneo and NCAA titlist San Sebastian.

"Nakatulong talaga sa amin yung pagtapos ng NCAA nag-winning streak kami, nadala namin dito sa tournament na 'to," said Mapua coach Chito Victolero, whose team won its last five games to earn a spot in the qualifying round thanks to a 6-12 card.

Mangahas made all of his four threes for 12 points in the first quarter as the Cardinals led by just two points, 27-25. But he conspired with Erwin Cornejo in a huge 20-4 blitz to grab a 47-29 advantage in the second period.

Cornejo was the second highest scorer of the team with 16 points while big man Jason Pascual added 13 markers as MIT took a 26-point lead in the second half.

Meanwhile, La Salle crushed NCAA South Champion Don Bosco Technical College, 98-44, Thursday night to start off its quest to repeat as national champions at the South Luzon-Metro Manila zonal phase in Naga City.

The Green Archers, sixth placers in the UAAP, relied on Peejay Barua in spite of the absence of key players James Mangahas and Bader Malabes, who was reported to have signed up with a club team in Bahrain.