SWU officials hope Alcoseba stays with Cobras basketball after May 13 elections

When the dust clears, Southwestern University (SWU) is hoping that champion head coach Raul Alcoseba will remain in his position and steer the Cobras in their title defense in the upcoming season of the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. (Cesafi) men’s basketball tournament.

Speaking days after Alcoseba’s announcement of his resignation from his post, SWU’s Chairperson of the Board of Directors Maris Johanna Holopainen said they are hoping Alcoseba will continue to man the squad or will remain with the team in some capacity in the event that he does push through with his resignation.

“We hope he will reconsider,” said  Holopainen. “We will discuss it with him after May 13. He has been instrumental in getting SWU to the national level. We would like to continue in this direction.”

Alcoseba surprised the local basketball scene with his resignation last Friday, saying that he wanted to focus more on his political career. He is running for a Provincial Member seat representing the First District of Cebu.

That announcement took several of his most trusted generals aback, including long-time compatriot and SWU assistant coach Mike Reyes and Alcoseba’s son, Rocky.

Reyes was at a loss for words when pressed for a comment on the matter in a previous conversation.

“I’m really shocked. Minsan, nasabi nya sa akin na baka hindi na siya magtatagal dito sa SWU. I just didn’t expect that he would do it immediately.”

“I’m hoping that he reconsiders this move. But should he push through with it, I guess everybody just has to step up their game,” said the younger Alcoseba, who also serves as assistant coach of SWU.