Cobras eye share of lead

CEBU, Philippines - The Southwestern University-Phinma Cobras eye piece of lead when they battle the University of Southern Philippines Foundation Panthers as the 16th Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. men's basketball tournament enters its third week of action at the Cebu Coliseum today.

Games today

(Cebu Coliseum)

5:15 p.m. USC vs CEC (jrs.)

6:45 p.m. SWU vs USPF (srs.)

The Cobras face off with the Panthers at 6:45 pm, right after the juniors division match between the Cebu Eastern College Dragons and the skidding University of San Carlos Baby Warriors at 5:15 pm.

After kicking off their campaign with a 68-54 whacking of defending champions USC Warriors, the Cobras struggled a bit in a 68-64 triumph over the Cebu Institute of Technology-University Wildcats.

A win versus the Panthers tonight would earn the Cobras of coach Raul 'Yayoy' Alcoseba a share of lead with the University of the Visayas Green Lancers, who are currently alone on top with a clean 3-0 slate.

Led by reliable veterans in two-time MVP Mark Jayven Tallo, Bernie Bregondo, Mark Racho, Anton Pardo and Jovanie Luz, the Cobras are getting fiercer with their acquisition of Cameroonian import Quentin Luzoladio, flashy guard Caesar Ian Ortega (formerly with the USC Warriors) and promising rookies in Sir Shaquille Imperial and William Polican.

The Cobras also have Rolly Bravo, Darwin Barte, Kier Clam, Arnel Molina and Alynndyll Roncal to add depth on their bench.

On the other hand, the Albert Alocillo-mentored Panthers will heavily depend on the explosive Lyndon Colina together with Kino Bajamunde, John Alocillo, Jawein Ceniza, Gilberto Sastrillas, Jayson Cando, Lester Meca and Roy Quiachon.

In the juniors play, the Dragons shoot for their second straight win after a season-opening 64-72 loss to the SWU Baby Cobras, while the Baby Warriors hope to snap out of their two-game slump. (FREEMAN)