Four teams start their bids for a berth in the “Sweet 16” as the first phase of the Visayas-Mindanao zonal phase of the 2009 Philippine Collegiate Champions League unfolds this Wednesday in Bacolod City.

Arellano University, University of San Carlos, Holy Trinity College from General Santos City and host West Negros University will dispute the two available spots in a single-round robin format for three days.

The top two teams after the tournament will join nine other squads such as UAAP champion Ateneo and NCAA titlist San Sebastian in the Sweet 16 set on November 23.

Arellano made waves in its maiden campaign as a guest team in the NCAA placing fifth overall after flirting at a possible Final Four berth while USC took fourth-place honors during the 9th CESAFI campaign.

West Negros, the 11-time NOPSSCEA champion, won the Visayas regional tournament while Holy Trinity was the surprise winner in the Mindanao regional phase.

Meanwhile, the other half of the zonals will begin its own series tomorrow in Cebu City featuring UAAP fifth-placer Adamson, NAASCU champion San Sebastian College Recoletos de Cavite, sister school University of San Jose Recoletos, the CESAFI third-placer and league runner-up University of Cebu.

Likewise, the top two teams will earn a spot in the Sweet 16.