Cobras seeking payback against Wildcats

CEBU, Philippines — Vengeance is on top of their minds as the Southwestern University (SWU)-Phinma Cobras take on the Cebu Institute of Technology-University (CIT-U) Wildcats again in the 19th Cebu Schools Athletic, Foundation Inc. (CESAFI) men’s basketball tournament today at the Cebu Coliseum.

During their first round encounter last September 28, the Cobras suffered a shock 62-67 defeat at the hands of the then winless Wildcats.

“CIT played well, while we played so badly,” said Southwestern U head coach Mike Reyes in recalling that upset loss against the league’s cellar-dwellers but known for their giant killing ways.

The Cobras quickly bounced back though with a repeat 66-61 victory over the University of San Carlos (USC) Warriors last October 6 to end their two-game slide and improve their record to 5-2 (win-loss).

Aside from fortifying their hold of the solo second place in the seniors division standings, the Cobras also seek payback against the Wildcats in their 3:30 p.m. encounter.

In the main match at 5 p.m., the University of Cebu (UC) Webmasters will open their second round against the University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) Jaguars.

Both the Webmasters and the Jaguars are coming off rousing triumphs last October 5.

The Webmasters drubbed the Wildcats, 79-66, to even their slate to 3-3, while the Jaguars thrashed the University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF) Panthers, 77-61, for their only second victory in seven starts.

In the juniors division, the UC Baby Webmasters will try to extend their unbeaten run to seven games as they tackle the Don Bosco Greywolves at 2 p.m. while the University of the Visayas (UV) Baby Lancers will mix it up with the SWU-Phinma Baby Cobras in the 12:30 p.m. opener.

The Baby Webmasters are currently perfect at 6-0 while the Greywolves raised their mark to 4-3 after stunning the Baby Lancers, 61-67, last October 6.

The Baby Lancers are momentarily tied with the USPF Baby Panthers at joint second and third spots with identical 5-2 cards, while the Baby Cobras are at the lower half of the leaderboard with only two victories in six matches. (FREEMAN)