THE Southwestern University-Phinma Cobras inched closer to clinching one of the top two slots after they destroyed the University of San Jose-Recoletos Jaguars, 95-80, in the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. (Cesafi) men’s basketball tournament at the Cebu Coliseum on Sunday, October 27.

The victory moved the Cobras to 8-2 (win-loss) with two more games left on their elimination round schedule. However, their last two games are not going to be cakewalks as they will go against the three-time defending champions University of the Visayas and the surging University of Cebu.

After leading, 49-40, at halftime, the Cobras turned it on further in the third canto outscored the Jaguars, 26-16, to build a 75-56 lead heading to the fourth canto.

Sparking the gamebreaking run were Shaquille Imperial, Red Cachuela, Dyll Roncal and reserve big man Heider Bilao.

Imperial ended up with 22 points, while Cachuela had 17 markers. Roncal and Lamine Thiam chipped in 12 markers apiece.

Matthew Carin led USJ-R with 16 points, while Elmer Echavez and Renz Solomon added 12 markers apiece.