‘Clash of the Titans’: UV, SWU relit flames of decades-old rivalry in CESAFI tonight

CEBU, Philippines - Cebuano hoop fans are set to witness an all-out hardcourt war when bitter rivals Southwestern University (SWU) Cobras and the University of the Visayas (UV) Green Lancers rekindle their decades-old rivalry in the 13th Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI) men's basketball tournament tonight at the Cebu Coliseum.

The Cobras' back-to-back title bid will go through a major test when they lock up horns with the Lancers in the 6:15 pm match that is a surefire blockbuster show given their storied rivalry that has already produced so many dramatic moments in the local cagedom through the years.     

The Lancers hold the bragging rights for winning many of their epic battles, but the Cobras scored a sweet redemption of sort last season when they completed what is by far the greatest comeback in the league's 11-year history, wiping out an 18-point fourth quarter deficit to stun UV via a 73-72 cliffhanger in the classic finale of their best-of-five finals series.

Though they are out to prove a point, Cobras' head coach Raul "Yayoy" D. Alcoseba shrugged off the brewing animosity between SWU and UV, saying that it's just business as usual for them as they duke it out for the solo leadership in Cebu's premiere inter-school athletic league.

"As what I've said earlier, we treat UV as just one of our games. We really don't care much about that rivalry thing. We have no personal qualms about it. We will try to win against the Lancers simply because we want to get the number one spot. Every game counts. That's what matters most for us at this stage and nothing else," said Alcoseba.

They no longer have the versatile Benuit Mbala, but the Cobras even grow stronger with the presence of the Cameroonian twin towers in 6-foot-11 Fabrice Siewe and the 6-foot-6 Landry Sanjo and the addition of spunky playmaker Mark Jayven Tallo to their talent-laden roster.

They only have three holdovers from their previous lineup, but ace gunner Monbert Arong and hardworking forwards Bernie Bregondo and Daryl Goloran are all vaunted fighting force on the playing court.

To fortify their offensive arsenal, SWU commissioned the services of Fil-Ams Francis Ortega, Adams Mohammad, and Melvin Holper as well as three veteran guards Nelson Otida, Jabe Bautista and Mark Panerio, who were formerly with the University of San Carlos (USC) Warriors as well as the promising 6-foot-5 center Raymark Ocuno.

Certainly, it's going to be a highly entertaining duel as the Lancers of coach Felix "Donbel" Belano, Jr. also paradesa plethora of talents that could size up the Cobras on all facets of the game.

But above talent, Belano said the essential thing is heart and will to win.

"The UV-SWU rivalry is good for the league. I think it's a good competition. We're on an even playing field. The winning team must be the team with a bigger heart, desire and passion for the game," said Belano. "We will just play with a heart anchored on our 3C philosophy that is character, chemistry and conditioning."

Against the Cobras, Belano has an array of local talents to back up his prized Cameroonian recruits in Steve Cedrick Akomo and Mike Harry Nzensseu. He has a powerful center/forward in reigning MVP Hernal "Wowie" Escocio and a versatile playmaker in John Abad to compliment the likes of Chris Perolino, Raffy Oktobre, Vincent Mendoza, Angelo Babia, Arvie Cabañero, Alfred Codilla, Miko Marquez, and Christian Fajardo.

"It's going to be a great match-up and we're ready for whatever SWU presents before us," said Belano, a member of the 1997 UV champion team that swept all the titles in five major tournaments it joined that year including the Palarong Pambansa, the Philippines National Games (PNG) and the prestigious National Inter-Collegiate Championships.

Prior to the UV-SWU face-off, three juniors division matches will take place featuring the CIT Wildkittens vs. the USPF Baby Panthers in the opener at 1 pm, the USJ-R Baby Jaguars vs. the CEC Dragons at 2:45 pm and the UV Baby Lancers vs. the defending champion SHS-Ateneo de Cebu Magis Eagles.— with GGM (FREEMAN)