Cobras ready for Manila’s big guys

AFTER two weeks of intense preparations, the reigning Southern Islands champions Southwestern University Cobras are ready and raring to mix it up with the big boys of Manila in the Final Four of the 2013 National Collegiate Championship which starts on Monday.

According to head coach Raul “Yayoy” Alcoseba, his wards are aiming to redeem themselves and improve on their one-win showing during their last stint in the semifinals of this very same tournament back in 2012.

SWU earned the trip to Manila following their championship conquest over hated rivals, University of the Visayas in the Southern Islands finals last month.

“The boys will be ready and in tip top shape. We had a good two weeks of strength and conditioning so we can bang with the big boys in Manila,” said the fiery mentor and Provincial Board Member of Cebu.

The Far Eastern University Tamaraws completed the Final Four cast earlier in the week after beating defending champions University of Santo Tomas for the Metro Manila-Luzon crown, joining SWU, UAAP champions La Salle and NCAA rulers San Beda in the single round-robin affair.

SWU will be no stranger to these Manila squads as they have played them both in the PCCL last year and several preseason tournaments, both in the FilOil Flying V Cup and an invitational tournament in Cebu.

“I like our chances, as long as we stay focused and we stick to our game plan. The important thing is I told the boys not to get intimidated with the Manila teams, though they are bigger it does not mean they are better. Cebuanos are known to play hard-nosed basketball, and that’s what I’m telling them to play like. We are going there not to be tourists but to play and represent the school and the Cebuanos,” Alcoseba added.

SWU gets its first test on Monday when they tackle the Green Archers in a game highlighted by Mac Tallo’s first game against his former team. /Correspondent Jonas Panerio