Lancers face bitter rivals Cobras in CESAFI today

CEBU, Philippines – The University of the Visayas Green Lancers will try to get back into the winning track and at the same time end their campaign in the first round of elimination on a high note, but it would be a tall order for them as they cross swords with their streaking arch-nemesis Southwestern University Cobras in the 15th Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. men’s basketball tournament today at the Cebu Coliseum.

Still smarting from a gut-wrenching 79-89 loss to the University of the San Carlos Warriors, the real character of the Lancers as a team will be put to another tough test as they face the Cobras, their bitter rivals for decades who had been performing so well despite their depleted lineup this season.

Playing without foreign import in an obviously undermanned lineup of only nine players, SWU’s title defense appeared to be in rough waters but as they set sail for another championship voyage, it’s the other way around for the slithery Cobras.

After losing in their season-opening assignment against the Warriors, the wards of coach Raul ‘Yayoy’ D. Alcoseba racked up three victories in a row, the most recent was a  71-62 decision against the University of San Jose-Recoletos Jaguars last August 16.

The way the Cobras systematically handle things one game at a time should be a cause of concern for their rivals, specifically the Lancers who are heavily favored – talent and manpower wise – to prevail in their 6:45 p.m. encounter.

Not to mention their Nigerian reinforcement  Steve Cedrick Akomo, the Lancers have all the tools in taming the Cobras.

They have reliable veterans in Franz Arong, Alfred Codilla and Arvie Cabanero to provide leadership on the likes of  Leonard Santillan, Jerome Napao, Vincent Mendoza, Rey Suerte and rookie pointguard June Kent Mendoza.

They just have to utilize their firepower to the optimum level especially that they are dealing with the hard-fighting Cobras that wear with them the badge pride of being the defending champions.

As usual, the Cobras will heavily depend on their star playmaker Mark Jayven Tallo, Giovannie Luz, Anton Pardo, Jan Michael Auditor, Melvin Holper and Jesse Bautista, among others  as they shoot for the solo second spot in the standings currently dominated by the 6-0 USC Warriors.

In the juniors division play set at 5:15 p.m.,  the USJ-R Baby Jaguars seek to improve their 2-2 record as they go up against the Cebu Eastern College Dragons, who are on a slump after being stripped of their first win for fielding in an overage player. (FREEMAN)