Cobras, Webmasters finally clash

CEBU, Philippines – Defending champion Southwestern University Cobras and the University of Cebu Webmasters both hope to sustain their momentum as they clash head-on today in the 15th Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. collegiate basketball at the Cebu Coliseum.

Though the tournament is already in the second round of elimination, it’s just the first time that the Cobras and the Webmasters will slug it out this season.

They were initially scheduled to face each other last August  22, but the game was cancelled as the Coliseum was closed due to the ‘Gathering of Friends’ of President Noynoy Aquino.

It was moved to August  31, but was again reset to a later date upon the request of the Cobras because it is very taxing for them to play back-to-back games in two straight days.

Now that their paths will finally cross at 6:45 p.m., hoop fans could expect an interesting battle between two of the league’s most exciting teams who are in high spirits coming off  huge wins in their previous assignments.

The Cobras pulled off a 79-77 shocker over the previously undefeated University of  San Carlos Warriors, thanks to the endgame heroics of Giovannie Luz, while the Webmasters came up with a repeat 71-63 performance over the University of Southern Philippines Foundation Panthers.

After wiping out the invincibility of the Warriors, the Cobras have somehow shown that they are capable of defending their throne even if the odds are stuck against them fighting without import in a heavily undermanned lineup of only nine players.

In their conquest of the Cobras, they were aided by lucky breaks but one thing is beyond question is their strong will and big fighting hearts, the intangibles that made them still a force to reckon with.

With their ace playmaker Mark Jayven Tallo always under the defensive radar of their opponents, the Cobras have apparently crafted a highly effective alternate offensive ploy, with the likes of Luz, Anton Pardo, Melvin Holper, Jan Michael Auditor and Jesse Bautista stepping up when they are needed most.

Sporting a 4-2 win-loss record, the Cobras are expected to go through a different kind of test against the Webmasters, a smaller team but armed with an indomitable fighting spirit.

What they lack in size the Webmasters made up with their quick transition play and tireless defensive efforts that had been a major headache of  their rivals.

“Gagmay lang pero fight gyud. That is what I always tell the players. Our training is a training for their life after basketball. That is why I am very strict on discipline on and off the court,” said UC team manager and coach Baldomero ‘Merong’ C. Estenzo.

And they way Garciano Puerto, Melvin Butohan, and Joseph Mayol played in their 12-point whacking of the Panthers two nights ago has created an impression to minds of some pundits that the Webmasters can never be taken lightly.

As they seek to improve their even 3-3 slate, the Webmasters will also count on the likes of Justine Dacalos, Jhan Clavin Jabello, Joven Tagudin, Earl Montilla, Clint Suelto, John Luzares, Filvenson Culango, and Peter Codilla among others.

Meanwhile, the USC Baby Warriors will try to end their two-game slump when they tackle the University of  San Jose-Recoletos Baby Jaguars in the opening match under the juniors division set at 5:15 p.m. (FREEMAN)