Already boasting of the south’s most potent offensive arsenal, the reigning Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. (Cesafi) champions Southwestern University (SWU) Cobras added another weapon to their fold in Filipino-American Harold Tolentino Habagat.
The Cobras expect to unleash Habagat when they face off against the Mapua Cardinals in their opening game in the 2015 Filoil Flying V Hanes Premier Cup today at the Arena in San Juan City.
A 6-foot-1 forward from San Diego, California, Habagat just recently arrived at the Cobras’ lair a week ago in the hopes of helping SWU defend its Cesafi crown. Though the transition has had its fair share of challenges, Habagat believes he made the right decision to transplant to Cebu.
“I’m new to the team but I am comfortable with them because they’re friendly and easy to get along with,” said Habagat in an exclusive interview with Cebu Daily News.
The 23 year old also related that though it’s difficult to be away from his family, he made the choice to give himself “a better future.”
With versatile wingman Adams Mohammed already exhausting his playing years, Habagat hopes to step up to the plate along with fellow newcomer Jan Auditor, formerly of the University of Cebu Webmasters.
Together, they join a loaded roster that already has two-time league MVP Mark Jayven Tallo, super sophomores Jasper Parker and Jun Luz, sweet-shooting big man Melvin Holper, the much-improved Rey Acuno and the “Bash Brothers,” Daryl Goloran and Bernie Bregondo.
Habagat, though, added that he still is adjusting to everything that Cebu and the Cobras has to offer.
“The biggest adjustment I had to make was to learn to communicate, collaborate and work with my new teammates.”
A week into playing with the Cobras, SWU’s brain trust, assistant coach Rocky Alcoseba, has come away impressed with their new ward’s talents.
“He’s a hard-nosed kind of player. A slasher who can post and has good range from the perimeter,” reported the son of SWU head coach Yayoy Alcoseba.
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