THE Southwestern University (SWU) Cobras, which just defeated the University of the Visayas (UV) Green Lancers, 74-65, for the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. (Cesafi) Partners Cup 2019 title on Sunday, August 4, is upbeat to play in the 34th Kadayawan Sports Festival Commercial Invitational Basketball Tournament on August 11 to 14 at the Almendras Gym Davao City Recreation Center.
SWU Cobras head coach Mike Reyes, in a phone interview with SunStar Davao Monday, August 4, said it will be their first time to play in Davao City.
His team got interested to join the league, organized by Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) 11 regional director and Presidential Assistant for Sports Glenn Escandor, since Manila teams De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Archers and National University (NU) Bulldogs are participating.
He said it would be good to learn something from the pocket tournament, playing against these two UAAP squads.
UV is the fourth team in the cagefest presented by the City Government of Davao through the Sports Development Division of the City Mayor's Office (SDD-CMO) and supported by The Royal Mandaya Hotel and Matina Enclaves.
Reyes, however, downplayed the Cobras' title chances, saying, "We may not have an edge versus them because they are really strong teams. We will just do what we usually do and play as a team."
"The only way to play against the strong teams is to play together in all aspects of the game, share the ball a lot and do defense," he added.
Cash prizes and trophies await the winners of the round robin format annual league with the champion taking home P100,000. The next three placers will bag P60,000, P40,000 and P30,000. The best coach and most valuable player (MVP) will each receive P5,000.
The tournament is free admission.