CESAFI PARTNER'S CUP BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT: VFI/USJ-R and Skygo/SWU dispute last final slot today

Once more in yet another crucial moment, the VFI Hotdogs-sponsored University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) Jaguars and the Skygo backed-Southwestern University (SWU) Cobras will engage in another strenuous hardcourt battle for the second and last finals berth of the Partner's Cup collegiate basketball tournament at the Cebu Coliseum.

The lone knockout encounter is scheduled at 4 pm.

The Jaguars, who are sponsored by La Fortuna Hotel owner Lorenz "Chao" Sy, will try to reassert their dominance over the Cobras, whom they swept in the race-to-three finals to claim the historic first ever championship of the Visayas Amateur Athletic Association (VAAA) last Wednesday at the USC Main Gym.

Despite winning seven of their last eight meetings, there is no reason for the Jaguars to underestimate the Cobras, who are brimming with confidence following their 79-73 win in Game 2 in the Partner's Cup best-of-three semifinals to forge today's sudden-death duel.

Hence, it would be so much of a misfortune for the Cobras if they lose tonight because this is their last chance to seek redemption and exact vengeance at the Jaguars.

The winner of the USJR-SWU showdown will set up a best-of-five title showdown with the CDO Hamburger-University of the Visayas (UV) Green Lancers, while the loser will battle the Metro Gaisano-University of Cebu (UC) Webmasters for the third place trophy in a winner-take-all affair.

As usual, USJ-R head coach Edito Salacuot will compliment their lack of ceiling with their explosive guards, whom Cobras' coach Dodie Miego is lacking right now in his young, but promising squad.

Lyndon Gudez is always a major component of the Jaguars' winning formula because in two games where he became topscorer, they won. USJ-R can offset their inferior frontcourt when their guards are actively involved in offense.

On the contrary, the Cobras are gaining strength at the post, but not at the backcourt. The last time around in VAAA, the Cobras relied too much on their big men but faltered in the homestretch in the absence of playmakers.

Miego should not be afraid to gamble on his guards because it is very important for them to cross at midcourt then set-up a play rather than committing a backcourt violation and let the Jaguars translate it into points.

The Cobras should also be smart enough to recognize who are hot and who are not. In the VAAA where they have the chance to stay alive, Ritchie Jalandoni, one of the heroes in their Game 2 victory, was benched the entire game. It was so costly because at 6-4, Jalandoni can match up with either Randy Pogoy, John Malinao or Manny Gabas.

The Cobras are actually a dangerous team if all their big men play smart in the likes of Gilbert Gallarde, Clifford Maguate, Richard Gianchang, Mariano Canonigo, James Cabahug and Jalandoni. Alfred Belande and Chris Litorja are both explosive armament too.

The Jaguars, on the other hand, will have Gudez, Malinao, Luther Justiniani, Armand Ponce, Archie Antigua, Jessmar Villahermosa and Bobby Hatague as their top guns against the Cobras.