CEBU, Philippines — Southwestern University-Phinma bagged the Under 18 division championship of the CYBL Summer League, overcoming a tough Punta Princesa/Alas Brokerage side, 50-40, at the Aznar Coliseum last Wednesday.
Using its size and height advantage, the Baby Cobras built an early lead, maintained this and had an answer for every rally that Punta Princesa had to offer.
Playing before a loud homecourt crowd who just got off from classes, the Baby Cobras took leads of 12-8 and 22-16 in the first half before stretching this to 33-25 at the end of the third period.
Punta Princesa relied on their hearts and never-say-die spirit to keep the game close, rallying each time the Baby Cobras would take the lead. But just as they would cut the lead to as low as for points, SWU-Phinma had the counter reply to stretch the lead anew.
It was a pattern that would be followed all game long with SWU-Phinma finally erasing the ghosts of their only loss in the classification round to the same team.
Dezeo Villanueva led the Baby Cobras with 13 points while Jack Nazario added ten. Vanz Khier Cabingatan led Punta Princesa/Alas with 10.
In the end, the size, height and depth of the Baby Cobras were too much for the barangay-based team that has nothing to be ashamed of.
This is the second pre-season title of the Baby Cobras after earlier winning the Pinoy Youth Dreamers U18 title last June. They now set their sights on the upcoming CESAFI 2018 season.
Meanwhile, next up for the CYBL is the SBP Passerelle Twin Tournament backed by Milo, a CYBL Under 18 tournament and the Milo Little Olympics.