Cobras overcome Warriors

CEBU, Philippines - The Southwestern University (SWU) Cobras overcame a lethargic fourth-quarter showing to repulse the University of the East (UE) Red Warriors, 59-54, at the start of the M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala Sinulog Cup basketball tournament yesterday at the Cebu Coliseum.

Games today

(Cebu Coliseum)

4 pm UE vs. UV

6 pm San Beda vs. SWU

The Cobras of legendary coach Raul “Yayoy” D. Alcoseba swiftly jumped the gun on the visiting Red Warriors at the get go to take an early 22-13 lead.

It was an all-SWU from there, with the Cobras leading by as much as 19 points, 47-28, on a 3-pointer by Jessmar Villahermosa midway in the

third period.

The Cobras maintained double-digit leads until the Red Warriors, under the tutelage of PBA great Jerry Codiñera, unleashed a blazing 21-5 run bridging the third and fourth quarters to pull within just three points, 52-49, with still 5:22 left to play.

Employing stonewall defense, the Red Warriors held the Cobras scoreless in the first six minutes of the final canto. Richard Ian Saladaga broke SWU’s long scoring drought off a goal-tending infraction by UE’s towering center Moustapha Arafat from Cameroon with 3:21 to go.

UE threatened for the last time at 54-56 on a trey by Dan Alberto as Viernes went 3-of-4 from the line to wrap up the match for SWU.

The Warriors could have send the game into overtime but former CEC Dragon BJ Zosa flubbed a hurried attempt from beyond the arc.

Interestingly, no SWU player cashed in double figures, but Benuit M’Bala, a recruit from Cameroon just like current mainstay Justin Aboude, was definitely a revelation despite finishing with only nine points. Though he is yet to prove his worth, the 6-foot-7 M’Bala showed early signs he can deliver effectively on both ends of the court. (FREEMAN)