PCCL: Tams, Lions favored over Elite 8 rivals

Action continues in the 2010 Philippine Collegiate Champions League Elite Eight as four perennial contenders fight for spots in the semifinal round Monday at The Arena in San Juan. UAAP men’s basketball finalist Far Eastern University takes on up-and-coming Adamson at 2 p.m., followed by the match between reigning NCAA titlist San Beda and La Salle. The Tamaraws, who lost to reigning three-time champions Ateneo Eagles in the recent UAAP men’s basketball finals, are tipped as the favorites over the Falcons. But Falcons coach Leo Austria thinks otherwise. “We defeated them in the Uni Games and they know we are capable of repeating, that’s why I think they will prepare very hard for us, but we’ll be ready,’’ said Austria, who steered Adamson to a Final Four appearance in the season just past. The Tamaraws flirted with disaster before winning over the scrappy Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers, 64-60, last time around. In contrast, the Falcons beat their previous rivals convincingly — the San Sebastian Stags — 65-54. The 4 p.m. encounter between the Lions and the Archers is expected to be an interesting one. The Lions displayed their dominance in their Sweet 16 match against the University of the East Warriors, 86-64. “We want to keep going. We want to win another championship. We finished the NCAA without a loss and we plan on finishing the PCCL without a loss as well,’’ said Lim. Sudan Daniel typified the Lions’ dominance with another 20-20 show. The American slotman, who won the NCCA regular season and Finals MVP awards, finished with 20 points and 22 rebounds in a performance that earned nothing but praise from Lim. But lording it over La Salle might not be a sure thing for San Beda. The Archers were on target in their Round-of-16 match with the Letran Knights, prevailing 70-56. "It would be a tough climb against San Beda, but of course, we’ll do our best and we’ll be up to the challenge,’’ said La Salle coach Dindo Pumaren. The winners of Monday’s Elite Eight matches will face each other in the Final Four. Defending champion Ateneo and University of Cebu have already secured berths in the semis. They clash in their own Final Four match on Tuesday. - KY, RCJ, GMANews.TV