Cebu’s SWU barges into first PCCL Finals appearance

MANILA, Philippines – The Southwestern University Cobras barged into the Philippine Collegiate Champions League (PCCL) Finals courtesy of an emphatic 86-71 drubbing of the UAAP’s Far Eastern University Tamaraws on Thursday, December 12, at the FilOil Flying V Arena in San Juan.

After falling short in last year’s edition of the PCCL final four, the Cobras made sure to redeem themselves this year by showing pure dominance against FEU.

“I told the players we have to hold on. We have to have the composure to finish the game,” SWU head coach Yayoy Alcoseba said after the game. “It could be a waste because we were leading by 19, 16, and 18 and it’s a big game.”

The Cebu-based SWU clearly came out to play and stop a run-and-gun FEU squad.

Monbert Arong was all business early on as he drained two of his 4 triples in the first half, helping SWU post a 43-27 halftime lead. The second canto was a show of splendid defense and offense on the part of the Cobras as they exploded for 29 points and at the same time limited the struggling Tamaraws to only 11.

The Cobras never lifted their foot off the gas pedal and continued the onslaught all the way to the payoff period, where FEU already started to feel the absence of gunners RR Garcia and Terrence Romeo. The two usually took over whenever FEU was in trouble.

The Tamaraws, who were still playing sans head coach Nash Racela who is currently at the SEA Games, could not mount a comeback despite Gryan Mendoza’s 4 triples for his 16 points to go with 7 boards and 6 assists. Carl Cruz, Mike Tolomia, and Anthony Hargrove combined for 39 points.

SWU head coach Yayoy Alcoseba shared the team’s game plan was to ensure that the Tamaraws could not employ their running system.

“We scouted FEU, they like to run,” Alcoseba explained. “What we did is we made caution [using] 2-2-1 half-court press so that they could not run. Then we mixed it up and played zone.”

Things were also made easier for Alcoseba as his wards were just as determined to extend their stay in Manila.

Landry Sanjo was a force underneath with 19 markers, 15 rebounds, 2 assists and 3 blocks. While Mark Tallo also went across the board with 16 points, 8 rebounds, 7 dimes and two thefts.

Pride for Cebu and Visayas

The win was also significant for the Cobras because they became only the second university from the Visayas to enter the PCCL Finals. The first was the University of Visayas in 2007 led by Greg Slaughter, who were defeated by the Ateneo Blue Eagles.

For Alcoseba, the milestone brings pride and happiness for the people of Cebu.

“We’re happy that we’re in the finals,” he said. “[It’s] not only the people of Cebu [who] are happy. This is not only for us, it’s also for the Cebuano-speaking people who love basketball so much.”

The SWU Cobras will be facing either the San Beda Red Lions or the DLSU Green Archers in the Finals, who are in the middle of battling for the last Finals berth as of posting time.

Alcoseba already expects a tough battle coming their way.

“Manila teams are always very hard [to compete with],” he said. “Not only are they big, but they’re like a machine. We’ll just see what will happen.”

Asked who he prefers to face, Alcoseba was modest and laughing saying, “Maski sino doon, tambak kami diyan.” (Any one of them, they’ll dominate us anyway.) –Rappler.com

SCORES

SWU (86): Arong 23, Sanjo 19, Tallo 16, Mohammed 15, Holper 5, Goloran 4, Bautista 4

FEU (71): Mendoza 16, Cruz 15, Tolomia 14, Hargrove 10, Iñigo 7, Pogoy 4, Jose 4, Dennison 1

Quarter scoring: 14-16, 43-27, 65-50, 86-71