UC EYES REPEAT VS. STRUGGLING SWU

Surging UC Webmasters hope for second win vs. SWU Cobras UC to rely on import Frederick Elombi for offensive onslaught Former champion SWU Cobras have won only once in six games this season

The University of Cebu Webmasters are hoping to continue their winning streak as they face the Southwestern University Cobras anew in the second round of elimination in the 2017 Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. (Cesafi) college basketball tournament at the Cebu Coliseum.

The retooled Webmasters defeated the Cobras, 59-49, during the season opening last Aug. 5 and UC went on to win four more games, while SWU won only once in six games.

With the Webmasters slowly getting the system of coach Raul Alcoseba, UC is expected to gain an advantage in this second meeting with Cameroonian scoring machine Frederick Elombi Ngoh expected to be the center of the offense.

Coming into this game, Elombi averages 22.0 points, 14.0 rebounds, 2.2 steals and 2.0 blocks in six games. Aside from Elombi, UC old reliable Garciano Puerto is also averaging 10.2 points and 3.8 rebounds.

UC ended its first round campaign with a thrilling 87-85 win over the University of San Jose-Recoletos last Saturday, for their third straight win after losing two games in a row.

SWU is struggling despite having six players from last year’s team that went unbeaten for the first 13 games.

The new recruits could compliment the holdovers but the team seem to lack motivation that could make them top contenders this season.

Only Shaquille Imperial is the lone Cobras to average in double digits with 10.2 points points a game, while Jovannie Luz and Edmundo Bayhonan average 9.0 and 9.5, respectively.

Meanwhile, the Cebu Institute of Technology-University (CIT-U) finally ended a six-game losing streak with a close 92-90 win over the University of Southern Philippines Foundation last Sunday.

Mark Kong scored a personal high 33 points, Mariel Muñez finished with 24 points and Steven Bucao added 11 points as CIT-U improved to 1-6. Lyndon Colina led USPF scorers with 23 points. /