THE league-leading Southwestern University-Phinma (SWU-Phinma) Cobras will try to fend off the three-time defending champions University of the Visayas (UV) Green Lancers when the two teams clash in the 2019 Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. (Cesafi) men’s basketball tournament at the Cebu Coliseum on Tuesday, November 5, 2019.

With the race for the top two spots heating up with just two more games remaining, SWU-Phinma and UV are expected to go all out in what is expected to be another rough match reminiscent of their first round clash which the Green Lancers won, 71-66.

The Cobras are currently sitting at the top with an 8-2 (win-loss) record while the Green Lancers is just a game behind at 7-3. A win by UV against SWU-Phinma on Tuesday would propel them to first place.

UV’s ace forward Jancork Cabahug says they would be banking on their effort on the defensive end of the floor to shackle SWU-Phinma’s army of perimeter specialists.

“We will be focusing on our defense and double our effort to win,” said the veteran forward. “We should trust our teammates be aggressive always.”

With UV and the University of Cebu breathing down their necks, the Cobras have no other choice but to stand up to the challenge if they are to head to the Final Four armed with a twice-to-beat advantage.

Only the two finishers at the end of the elimination round would be awarded with the said bonus.

Cobras captain Dyll Roncal said the game is a definite must-win for them.

“Our main point for tomorrow's game is to win if we are to get the twice-to-beat bonus. As we all know, UV is a dominant team so for us to get the 'W,' we must put forth more effort and play as a team, trust each other and then, follow coach Mike’s (Reyes) system especially on defense,” said Roncal, who has blossomed into one of SWU-Phinma’s most reliable players in his final Cesafi season.