Southwestern University PHINMA Cobras were back in ruling the Cesafi Men’s basketball, after they dethroned the defending champions University of the Visayas Green Lancers in a well-earned 64-60 Game 3 win, Friday night, November 22, at the jam-packed Cebu Coliseum.
For the Cobras, Red Cachuela fronted the effort with 14 pts, as Shaquille Imperial and Dyll Roncal unloaded 13 points, apiece, while William Polican contributed 11 points. With those four showing the way, SWU Cobras left no doubt in ending their four-year win drought and imparting Cobra head coach Mike Reyes his first Cesafi championship win with the team.
“We never gave up, nagsalig rami sa matag-usa,” Shaquille Imperial, Cesafi Season 2019 MVP awardee, said.
Imperial, 24, wished to play one more year to experience once again the Cobra community cheering for the team by next season.
The Cobras unleashed their venom to commence the game and dropped 37 points in the first half for a 15-point lead, courtesy of Polican’s 3-point shots and Cachuela’s inside-the-box scoring.
But the Green Lancers stole the momentum in the third canto of the match and pulled off a massive 23-4 run, limiting the cobras with only seven points, 42-46, in favor of UV.
“When adversary came, I just reminded them [that] we were playing individually, let’s do our strengths, and share the ball again,” Reyes said.
Crucial free throws of Gerald Fernandez, Roncal, and Polican with two minutes left paved the way in claiming the championship title for the Cobras. SWU PHINMA Cobras last won the Cesafi Men’s basketball title in 2014.
