Cobras eye share of second spot; USJ-R jrs. target semis

CEBU, Philippines – The Southwestern University Cobras will try to earn a share of the second spot with the University of the Visayas Green Lancers as they take on the University of Southern Philippines Foundation Panthers in the 15th Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc., men’s basketball tournament, which shifts action today at the University of San Carlos-Main gym.

The Cobras are on a roll since opening their second round campaign with a huge upset over the previously undefeated University of San Carlos Warriors.

Counting their back-to-back wins over the University of Cebu Webmasters and the Cebu Institute of Technology-University Wildcats, the Cobras of coach Raul ‘Yayoy’ D. Alcoseba, the Cobras now hold a 6-2 slate, just a full game behind the Lancers.

They may be undermanned but the Cobras have shown they can rise above the challenge.  Playing without foreign import in an already depleted roster of only nine players, their will to win and fighting heart are already beyond question.

Those intangible forces make them the heavy favorites as they collide with the Panthers at 5:15 p.m.

As usual, the Cobras will largely depend on their star playmaker Mark Jayven Tallo as well as the likes of Jesse Bautista, Jan Michael Auditor, Giovannie Luz, Anton Pardo, and Melvin Holper as they seek a repeat of their 86-76 conquest of the Panthers during their first meeting last August 13.

The Panthers, on the other hand, will rely on Brantford Borces, Winston Bolivar, Kino Bajamunde, Thomas Laver and John Alocillo among others as they chase after that seemingly elusive victory.

In the juniors division play at 5:15 p.m., the twice-to-beat University of San Jose-Recoletos Baby Jaguars hope to complete the four-team semifinal cast when they square off against the University of the Visayas Baby Lancers, whom they blasted, 65-43, during their August 8 encounter. — EBV (FREEMAN)