SWU Cobras: Exorcising the ghost of 2013

The SWU Cobras are getting ready to battle the country’s top collegiate squads in the upcoming Filoil Flying V Hanes Premier Cup in Manila.

Getting a second straight title in the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. (Cesafi) is always a tricky feat. Ask the Southwestern University Cobras, they should know after their bid for a repeat crown in 2013 ended in tears at the hands of the University of the Visayas Green Lancers.

But after claiming the men’s title over the University of San Carlos Warriors last year, the Cobras once again find themselves in the unique position and this time, they want to seize the moment.

And the first step towards that direction is the most prestigious preseason basketball tournament in the land, the Filoil Flying V Hanes Premier Cup, which starts this weekend.

Though  their first game is scheduled in mid-May, the Cobras are getting themselves in prime condition which should serve them well against the country’s best collegiate squads.

“We started our practice on Wednesday. The boys are still shaping up because they had a week’s worth of rest from winning the national PRISAA title. We also started our weight training in preparation for the Filoil which is a month away. Maybe in two weeks time, the boys will be in tiptop shape,” bared assistant coach Rocky Alcoseba, son of local coaching legend Yayoy Alcoseba.

NEW CONDITIONING COACH
Two-time reigning MVP Mark Jayven Tallo also gave his two cents’ worth on their summer preparations and could not contain his excitement at the chance of helping the Cobras conquer the national stage.

“It’s actually great! We have  a new strength and agility coach. It’s like 200% na kahirapan na binibigay nya sa amin everyday in practice! Which is good because it helps para sa mga laban namin sa Manila and para maganda din para sa akin kasi I’m losing pounds and I’m really grateful to him! He is very strict and that’s the coach I like especially for our conditioning,” related the former La Salle Green Archer.

This summer, every drop of sweat and blood shed during these sizzling days holds a purpose higher than mere conditioning: to make sure that the bitter memory of 2013 won’t haunt them again. And it all starts in Manila.

“It’s very important for us. We are going to Manila not to be tourists, but to compete and at the same time gain experience which we really need for us to defend our crown in the Cesafi,” added the younger Alcoseba, a sentiment echoed by the swashbuckling two-guard.

“Playing those tough teams in Manila is a great help for us! Experience yung makukuha namin dun,  yung maturity in games and it’s a big exposure for us and for the team! We are hoping to finish in the top three there,” Tallo stated.

Though the core of Tallo, super sophomore Jasper Parker, Bernie Bregondo, Daryl Goloran, Jun Luz and Melvin Holper remains, some changes also characterize the latest version of the Cobras.

NEW ADDITIONS
For one, gone is Landry Sanjo, the man-mountain from Cameroon who helped push them to the crown last year. In his place is untested rookie Mupungu Boko.

But Parker does not doubt Boko’s impact on both ends of the floor for the Cobras this upcoming season.

“He’s not (Landry) Sanjo so I’m still getting used to playing with him. He plays a different style from Sanjo. He’s more of a scorer who operates on the perimeter more. But he can also defend very well,” said Parker.

Still, the jury is out on Boko who Alcoseba said is still adjusting to being the main man in the middle for the Cobras. “(Mupungo) Boko is really coming into his own. He needs to improve his conditioning since he is still adjusting to playing extended minutes.”

Aside from the addition of Boko, SWU is also set to welcome a couple of blue-chip Filipino-foreign recruits from San Diego in Fil-Tongan Juju Bautista and Fil-American Harold Tolentino See who are expected to take up the slack left by the departure of versatile forward Adams Mohammed.