After getting a taste of the fierce action on the national stage, the M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala-backed Southwestern University Cobras is raring for more when they join the 7th FilOil Flying V preseason tournament which kicks off on April 13 at the Arena in San Juan City.
This was emphasized by chief backer, renowned sports patron Michel Lhuillier, during a press conference that he hosted yesterday morning Pino Restaurant before the Cobras embark on what is a historic stint in the aforementioned tournament.
SWU’s participation in this prestigious preseason marks the first time a team outside of Manila is competing in the tournament, which serves as a crucial training ground for the teams before their respective regular collegiate seasons start.
“Cebuanos have all the talent. We have the material to show imperial Manila that we’re better than them. We have local talent, the necessities of a strong team, a great coach and the massive support of the school’s administration. With all these, we know what to do,” said Lhuillier yesterday before the rest of the squad that was flanked by head coach Raul “Yayoy” Alcoseba and SWU’s Chairman of the Board of Directors Maris Johanna Holopainen.
“We managed to attain success at the national level in the Liga Pilipinas and even in the defunct Philippine Basketball League, with the likes of Jojo Lastimosa. I want to excel in every endeavor I undertake and I don’t sleep until I realize my dream. We did it last year but sustaining it is the hard part,” added Lhuillier.
SWU reached the summit last year when it hoisted the championship in the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. (Cesafi) seniors division, beating the University of the Visayas in a terrific five-game finals series, 3-2.
The Cobras are set to take on reigning five-time UAAP champions Ateneo at the start of the tournament.