Games on Wednesday (Ynares Sports Center)
2 p.m. — Letran vs La Salle
4 p.m. — Ateneo vs Lyceum

Far Eastern University groped for form against Arellano University before escaping with a 69-59 win on Monday at the start of the Sweet 16 Finals of the 2009 Philippine Collegiate Champions League at the Ynares Sports Center in Pasig City.

In the other game, San Beda College held San Sebastian College-Cavite to just 14 points in the first half on the way to a 91-50 victory.

The win pushed the Lions to the quarterfinals against either University of Visayas or Mapua.

The Tamaraws, who placed third in the UAAP, raced to a 21-7 lead only to watch the Chiefs rally to within, 32-33, early in the third quarter.

But the Tamaraws hung tough in the closing stages to thwart the Chiefs’ uprising and advance to the quarterfinal round where it will face either University of the East or Cebu-based University of the Visayas.

All but two of 10 players used by Capacio scored with RR Garcia topscoring with 17 points. Aldrich Ramos added 15 and Hippovite Nuonduo 10.

Garcia scored back-to-back treys to fuel a 10-0 run that gave the Tamaraws a 45-34 lead.

But the Chiefs, with Giorgio Ciriacruz, Ed Rivera and Allen Virtudaso on the firing end, rallied to trim the deficit to 45-49.

The 6-3 Ciriacruz, grandson of the late former national player Jacinto “Jumping Jack” Ciriacruz, paced Arellano with 17 points and 10 rebounds.

The tournament resumes on Wednesday with defending champion La Salle taking on Letran and UAAP champion Ateneo battling Lyceum.

First Game:
FEU 69 — Garcia 17, Ramos 15, Nuondou 10, Sanga 8, Cervantes 8, Exicimino 4, Knuttel 4, Cawaling 3, Vinluan 0, Guerrero 0.
ARELLANO 59 — Ciriacruz 17, Tayogtong 11, Apostol 9, Anquilo 7, Rivera 6, Celada 6, Virtudaso 3, Agustin 0.
Quarters: 21-9, 33-29, 52-45, 69-59.

Second Game:
SBC 91 — Gamalinda 18, Pascual 14, Dela Rosa 11, Lanete 11, Villanueva 8, Soliman 7, Solera 6, Caram 6, Daniel 5, Lim 3, Tecson 2.
SSC-CAVITE 50 — Filio 12, Alcasabas 8, Pasapun 5, Ciracilla 4, Lacernas 3, Antipuesto 2, Basa 2, Galindo 2, Acain 2, Reyes 2, Abagan 2, Dela Cruz 2, Pono 2, Escobal 2.
Quarters: 19-6, 46-14, 69-28, 91-50.