USJ-R and SWU to renew rivalry in Bogo

Visayas Amateur Athletic Association (VAAA) inaugural champion University of San Jose- Recoletos (USJ-R) Jaguars and runner-up Southwestern University (SWU) Cobras will rekindle their scathing rivalry as they slug it out in an exhibition match this Sunday at the sprawling Don Celestino Martinez Sr. Memorial Coliseum in Bogo, Cebu.

Although it’s just a goodwill encounter, the match is of huge significance for the two protagonists because aside from battling for pride, the winner will receive P10,000 while the loser takes home P5,000 in the event sponsored by Hotel Fortuna and La Fortuna Bakery owner Lorenzo "Chao" Sy in partnership with 2007 Bogo Fiesta Execom represented by Joseph Lipon.

Sy said the game is the first of two promotions in Bogo, which will serve as one of the higlights of Bogo’s annual town fiesta on May 27.

USJ-R assistant athletic moderator Dioscoro Himotas and SWU athletic director Ryan Aznar have already confirmed their Bogo trip.

The Jaguars, who finished runner-up to the mighty University of the Visayas (UV) Green Lancers in the CESAFI-organized Partner’s Cup recently, swept the Cobras in the VAAA best-of-three finals.

Despite they’re just a newly-formed team, the Cobras showed they are not easy to beat as they took a reprisal against the Jaguars in the Partner’s Cup.

However, in most of their head-on collisions, the Jaguars always come out the victor.

Aznar, for his part, said the fact that they are just a new team, they want to challenge stronger rivals to further harness the skills of his players in preparation for their return to the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI) this year.

"We want proper exposure and our team is willing to play because that’s what we need in order for our players to gain experience," Aznar said.

The Cobras placed fourth in the Partner’s Cup after losing to the University of Cebu (UC) Webmasters in an exciting game in Danao City. They advanced into the semifinals by ousting the twice-to-beat University of San Carlos (USC) Warriors. — GGM