With their place in history as only the second team outside of Manila to make it to the finals of the Philippines Collegiate Champions League already secure, Southwestern University (SWU) head coach quickly settled his Cobras down in time for the frenzied battle that lies ahead against the mighty La Salle Green Archers.
The best-of-three titular affair starts on Monday and preparations are underway to make sure the Cobras remain even-keeled in spite of their dominant 86-71 win over the Far Eastern University Tamaraws in the last day of the semifinals last Thursday and their 68-58 overtime win over the Archers in the opening game of the semis.
“We can’t be overconfident against any UAAP team, especially La Salle since they’re the defending champions,” Alcoseba said.
Alcoseba said their 28-point loss at the hands of San Beda that came on the heels of their win over La Salle was not a result of overconfidence since they have never adopted that approach, against any team – UAAP, NCAA or otherwise.
In the same breath, Alcoseba said that perhaps it was La Salle which took them lightly during their game last Monday.
“Maybe they took us for granted. Maybe that’s the reason they lost,” Alcoseba said.
One thing is for sure, Alcoseba has already reminded his boys to play SWU brand of basketball come game time. “For us we take games here in the PCCL as if it’s life and death.”
The Archers pose an immense threat especially with their huge frontcourt that boasts of Norbert Torres and UAAP Mythical Five member Jason “The Hefty Lefty” Perkins. And with the stakes a lot higher, La Salle is also expected to have the 6-foot-7 center Arnold Van Opstal back from a hip injury. This is a development that Alcoseba and the rest of the Cobras are gearing up for.
“Having Van Opstal in the lineup would really be hard. But the general thought is that we stick to our game plan.”