Coach Mike Reyes of the SWU-Phinma Cobras reacts during Game 3 of the Cesafi men’s basketball finals on Friday, November 22, 2019, at the Cebu Coliseum. CDN Digital photo | Gerard Vincent Francisco
Cebu City, Philippines—Cebu college basketball has a new king.
The Southwestern University (SWU)-Phinma Cobras survived a huge rally to defeat the defending champion University of the Visayas (UV), 64-60, in the winner-take-all Game 3 of the Cesafi men’s basketball tournament on Friday, November 22, 2019, at the packed Cebu Coliseum here.
The Cobras, thus, wrapped up the series, 2-1, to end a five-year title drought in the league.
It is also head coach Mike Reyes’ first title with SWU-Phinma in Cebu’s premier collegiate league after three years with the team.
The win also denied the Green Lancers a fourth straight title.
The Cobras took off to a hot start, leading by as many as 18 in the first half before UV came roaring back in the third.
The Green Lancers outscored the Cobras 24-7 in the third to take a 46-44 lead entering the fourth.
Both teams exchanged baskets early in the final frame but the Cobras held the Green Lancers to just two points in the last two minutes while Gerald Fernandez, Dyll Roncal and Will Polican sank crucial freethrows that paved the way for the victory.
Big man Red Cachuela led SWU-Phinma with 14 points. /bmjo
BOXSCORES:
SWU Cobras (64) – Cachuela 14, Imperial 13, Roncal 13, Polican 11, Thiam 9, Fernandez 4.
UV Green Lancers (60) – Coulibaly 17, Delator 10, Gahi 10, Cabahug 7, Maestre 5, Maglasang 5, Cometa 4, Tarrosa 2.
If you missed the game, you can watch it her via Cesafi Live: