San Beda's Jake Pascual (left) outjumps four San Sebastian College-Cavite Stags for the rebound during their duel in the Sweet 16 Finals of the 2009 Philippine Collegiate Champions League last Monday (Photo by BOB DUNGO JR.)

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

Arch rivals Ateneo de Manila and La Salle University take on separate opponents this Wednesday in the resumption of the Sweet 16 Finals of the 2009 Philippine Collegiate Champions League at the Ynares Sports Center in Pasig City.

The Eagles, the reigning Universities Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) champions, battle Lyceum at 4 p.m.

The Archers, the defending champions, tackle Letran at 2 p.m.

Ateneo and La Salle, which fought in the final last year, are not bracketed in the same half of the draw and could meet for the championship.

The Eagles, however, will have to contend with CESAFI champion University of Visayas and NCAA powerhouses San Beda College and Jose Rizal University.

The Archers, on the other hand, will have to go through UAAP giants University of the East and Far Eastern University and NCAA titlist San Sebastian College.

Rabeh Al-Hussaini, now playing for the Smart-Gilas national team, is expected to lead the Eagles against the Pirates.

The winner of the Ateneo-Lyceum tussle advances to the quarterfinals against either University of Santo Tomas or Jose Rizal.

A win over Letran will set up the Archers against the winner between the Stags and the University of San Carlos.

In Monday’s opening games, Far Eastern University and San Beda College rolled to victories against respective opponents.

The Tamaraws turned back Arellano University, 69-59, while the Lions crushed San Sebastian College-Cavite, 91-50.

The tournament, sponsored by PLDT and Smart, completes its first round matches on Saturday at The Arena in San Juan and on Monday at the Ormoc Dome in Ormoc City.

Clashing in the regular twinbill at The Arena are University of the East and University of Cebu at 2 p.m. and University of Visayas and Mapua at 4 p.m.

In Ormoc, Jose Rizal tackles UST at 2 p.m. while San Sebastian takes on University of San Carlos.