Judgment day for UC and SWU

CEBU, Philippines - Judgment day beckons for reigning title-holder University of Cebu (UC) Webmasters and the Southwestern University (SWU) Cobras as they clash for one last time in the deciding match of their best-of-five series for the seniors division championship of the 11th Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI) basketball season tonight at the Cebu Coliseum.

Game today

(Cebu Coliseum)

Game 5, Finals

5:30 pm UC vs. SWU

Gametime is set at 5:30 pm.

There will be only one game today as the other sudden-death duel between the Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu Magis Eagles and the University of the Visayas Baby Lancers for the juniors crown will be played tomorrow yet, according to league commissioner Felix O. Tiukinhoy, Jr.

The title retention bid of the Webmasters appeared to be smooth-sailing as they swept the first two games. After taking the series opener last October 29, 87-84, the Webmasters went through overtime before eking out a 91-84 win last October 31 for a commanding 2-0 lead.

However, the Webmasters' campaign to score a clean sweep was met with disaster as they got dumped by the Cobras by a mind-boggling 38 points in Game 3, 57-95. Game 4 was a bit closer but the Cobras stole it, 67-65, to forge a rubbermatch.

Down to one final showdown, today's game will not only be a test of endurance but also a test of character for the players to determine how mature they are in dealing with a crucial situation and how they would react into pressures.

The Webmasters are chasing for back-to-back CESAFI crowns under the leadership of 6-foot-9 center Junemar Fajardo, who is hoping for a graceful exit in his last playing year with UC.

Fajardo will be backed-up by Edward Pao, Robinson Mohammad, Brian Heruela and Luigi Bercede. They could also rely on Jan Michael Auditor, Gerald Ampoon, Roger Caytuna, Alvin Labolabo and Jhon Raphael Aranas.

The Cobras, on the other hand, are seeking for their first title since joining the league eight years ago. To fulfill that mission, they could count on 6-foot-6 center Justin Aboude, Eleazar Armecin, Bonifacio Guillena, Benito Ortuyo, Joseph Nalos, Monbert Arong, Bernie Bregondo and Jhonard Pineda. (FREEMAN)