Rivals SWU, UV face off anew
Games today:
Cebu Coliseum
1 p.m. – CIT-U vs USC (College)
2:30 p.m. – USPF vs USJ-R (College)
4 p.m. – SWU vs UV (College)
Cebuano basketball fans are in for a treat today as bitter rivals Southwestern University (SWU)-Phinma and the University of the Visayas (UV), forge another chapter in their storied rivalry when they square off in the 16th Cesafi men’s basketball tournament at the Cebu Coliseum.
The Cobras will try to hit two birds with one stone today as they seek a repeat of their thrilling 65 – 57 win over the Lancers in the first round.
Interestingly, a win would also give SWU a sweep of the elimination round and keep its winning streak – which currently stands at 11 games – going.
The titanic clash is set at 4 p.m.
Already assured of an outright spot in the semifinals, the Cobras are still expected to go all out behind their undisputed leader, two-time MVP Macmac Tallo, who will also get plenty of help from veterans John Lloyd Luz, Bernie Bregondo and Ian Ortega, and newcomers Quintin Nzuzi, Darwin Barte and Rolly Bravo.
But the Green Lancers, while itching to gain payback against the Cobras, have bigger fish to fry. According to head coach Gary Cortes, their main focus is to get better in time for the playoffs after getting off track in the second round due to injuries by several key players, including prized find Tristan Albina who only got back to action on Thursday after getting hospitalized due to a viral infection.
“Of course, we would like to get a win but really, we’re not just preparing for a single game against SWU. We’re preparing for the quarterfinals,” said Cortes of his team, which currently stands tied for second place at 7 – 3 (win-loss), with the University of San Jose-Recoletos Jaguars (USJ-R).
Those very same Jaguars will also see action today against the University of Southern Philippines Foundation Panthers (2-7).
In the first game, the defending champions University of San Carlos Warriors (5-5) will take on the winless Cebu Institute of Technology-University Wildcats (0-9).