SWU adds three former USC players to its roster in preparation for Filoil Flying V hoop

A team nearly devoid of any backcourt presence got its prayers answered as the reigning Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. (Cesafi) champions Southwestern University (SWU) Cobras tapped three veteran stalwarts from the University of San Carlos in Mark Panerio, Nilton Otida and Jabby Bautista.

The three players are set to see action for SWU in the 7th Filoil Flying V Premier Cup, which is set to kick off on April 13.

The Cobras earned an invite to the prestigious preseason tournament and are looking to earn much experience heading to their title defense in the Cesafi later this year.

The three additions are expected to bolster the Cobras backcourt following the losses of the backcourt combo of starter Joseph Nalos and reserve guard Junrey Ortuyo.

Nalos is opting to focus on his studies while Ortuyo has exhausted his playing years.

The aforementioned trio is taking advantage of the Cesafi rule that was implemented three years ago which states “A player who has finished his college course and has played only for four years and have still one more year is allowed to transfer to play the remaining one year in another Cesafi member school if he enrols in Law or Medicine or he enrols in a course not offered by his present school..”

“That rule allowed Moncrief Rogado to transfer immediately from the University of Southern Philippines Foundation to the University of Cebu. So hopefully, there would be no problems with this transfer,” said SWU athletic director Ryan Aznar.