THE FRONTCOURT of the recently-crowned Cesafi champions Southwestern University Cobras might be getting some much-needed help when they compete in the 2012 Philippine Collegiate Champions League Southern Islands Championship on Nov. 13 to 15 at the Cebu Coliseum.
SWU head coach Raul “Yayoy” Alcoseba announced that the team will be getting back power forward Chris Dumapig in time for the Southern Islands title game set on Nov. 15 with the winner going to Manila to compete in the Final Four of the PCCL.
The announcement was made by Alcoseba during the team’s courtesy call to their chief corporate sponsor Michel Lhuillier at the North Reclamation Area.
Dumapig failed to suit up for SWU in the Cesafi due to eligibility problems stemming from his stint in the PBA D-League.
PCCL commissioner Joe Lipa clarified the eligibility rules of the PCCL.
“Anyone who is eligible to play in their mother league will be eligible to play in the PCCL,” said Lipa.
But Alcoseba said he already talked with Lipa regarding the issue of Dumapig.
During yesterday’s courtesy call, Lhuillier took the time to congratulate the team, headed by chairman of the school’s Board of Directors Maris Holopainen and the school’s athletic director Ryan Aznar. The generous sportsman also pledged P100,000 as a cash prize to the squad.
Meanwhile, Lipa said the champions of the Visayas and Mindanao qualifiers will clash on Nov. 13. On that same day, UV will be taking on Cesafi third placers University of San Jose-Recoletos.
The following day, the winners of the aforementioned matches will clash for the right to face SWU for the Southern Islands championship.
The main game of that playdate will also feature a game between the Letran Knights and the National University Bulldogs, featuring league MVP Bobby Ray Parks. /Correspondent Jonas Panerio