In a statement game that shouted of their potential, the Southwestern University (SWU) Cobras finally got to live up to their hype as they handed the University of the Visayas (UV) Green Lancers their first loss of the season with a 64-56 decision in the seniors division of the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. basketball tournament late Saturday night at the Cebu Coliseum.
After two disappointing games that saw them lose double-digit advantages, the Cobras of head coach Raul “Yayoy” Alcoseba made sure that they would not succumb to the pressure this time as they got bailed out by crucial baskets from wingman Bon Guillena in the last three minutes of the game.
Sporting spanking new uniforms, the Cobras appeared confident and it showed in the score as they raced off to an 11-0 lead and led by as many as 15 points, the last time being at 40-25, after a basket by Rene Pacquiao in the early stages of the second half.
The Cobras maintained a 10-point lead, 50-40, heading to the final period, thanks to an incredible dipsy-doo move by Eleazar Armecin at the third period buzzer.
But the nine-time defending champions did not go down lightly. After a long chase, the Lancers finally got to tie the game up at 56-all, thanks to a 16-4 run that was punctuated by a three-pointer from the corner by Harold Cincoflores.
The Cobras did not flinch as they came back with a trifecta by Guillena from the right wing that shattered the tied score. He followed it up with a daring jumper in the shaded lane and a free-throw that gave the Cobras a 62-56 lead with 1:09 left.
Cameroonian big man Justin Aboude secured the win with a putback with 31 ticks remaining in the game.
The Cobras pushed their record to 1-2 (win-loss) while the Lancers fell to 3-1.