THE PROTAGONISTS of last year’s Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. (Cesafi) men’s basketball finals—the Southwestern University Cobras and the University of San Carlos Warriors—will not have to wait long to get their hands on one another as they battle one another on Aug. 2 at what is expected to be a packed Cebu Coliseum.
The tension between the two powerhouse squads has been long brewing after the Cobras emerged triumphant over the Warriors in an intensely fought five-game finals series last year.
And according to the official schedule that was given to Cebu Daily News yesterday by league commissioner Felix Tiukinhoy, the rivalry will be rekindled right away—a day after the new season comes off the wraps.
Opening day will be highlighted by high school and collegiate games featuring the rebuilding University of Cebu and last year’s fourth-placers, the University of San Jose-Recoletos.
But all eyes will be on the Cobras-Warriors tiff with SWU head coach Raul Alcoseba already expressing his excitement for the match.
“What better way to start the season than with a rematch of last year’s finals? We’re already preparing for that,” said the multi-titled coach whose cache of weapons was recently bolstered by the arrival of Fil-Samoan Juju Bautista, a standout from San Diego.