Cesafi champions Cobras begin semis stint in PCCL, face NCAA kings San Beda Red Lions

Games today:

The Arena

2 p.m. – SWU vs. San Beda

4 p.m. – Ateneo vs. UST

The Southwestern University (SWU) Cobras try to announce their arrival on the national collegiate basketball scene as they battle NCAA powerhouse San Beda Red Lions at the start of the semifinal round of the 2012 Philippine Collegiate Champions League (PCCL) today at the Arena in San Juan City.

The Cobras, the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. (Cesafi) champions, earned the right to be in the company of the best collegiate basketball squads in the land after they defeated the University of the Visayas Green Lancers yet again, 82-78, for the Southern Islands title last week.

However, it will be a whole different ballgame today as they face off against the rulers of the NCAA, the Red Lions, who hold the distinction of winning six of the last seven championships in their league. They are also the winningest team in league history with 17 titles to their name.

Expected to banner San Beda are Davaoeno Baser Amer, Jake Pascual, Rome dela Rosa and Nigerian Ola Adeogun, who will be tasked to defend SWU’s duo of Cameroonians Ben Mbala and Justin Aboude.

The two teams met in Cebu earlier this year during the Sinulog Cup, wherein the Red Lions took down SWU, 88-82, to snatch the championship.

In the second game, the much-awaited UAAP finals rematch between the Ateneo and  University of Santo Tomas commences at 4 pm.