Lancers, Cobras gun for crucial 2-1 lead

CEBU, Philippines - The University of the Visayas (UV) Green Lancers and the Southwestern University (SWU) Cobras seek to break the tie that binds them as they clash in Game 3 of the best-of-five collegiate basketball finals of the 12th Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI) season tonight at the Cebu Coliseum.

Gametime is set at 6 pm.

The Cobras drew first blood, 77-72, but the Lancers eked out an 81-79 victory in Game 2 to tie the series at one game apiece.

The odds are almost even as the two hardcourt titans will step inside the court with no one could claim big advantage except for the breaks that happen in the game.

The Lancers have found a gem in John Michael Abad during their previous game and they hope that their flashy pointman could sustain his momentum as they go for the pivotal 2-1 lead.

The Lancers have yet to see the best of their 6-foot-7 Nigerion recruit Steve Cedrick Akomo, even as they can also count on the newly-crowned MVP Hernal "Wowie" Escocio, Jerome Silva, Phil Mercader, Eman Calo Rene Jun Saycon, Chris Perolino, Rhaffy Oktubre and Vincent Mendoza.

On the part of the Cobras, they will again parade their formidable Cameroonian centers in Benoit Mbala and Justine Aboude.

Southwestern can also bank on its own jewel in Monbert Arong along with the likes of Bonifacio Guillena III, Bernie Bregondo, Joseph Nalos and Benito Ortuyo. (FREEMAN)