CEBU CITY, Philippines--The Southwestern University Cobras clinched a championship berth in the 2008 National Students Basketball Championship after nailing a hard-earned 98-94 win over University of Luzon Friday in their collegiate division semifinal battle at the Cebu Coliseum here.

Alfred Belande keyed the crucial win for the Cobras by erupting for a game-high 26 points, including a crucial three-pointer in the waning seconds that complemented a defense which held UL scoreless in the final 52.5 ticks.

Norman Ilao gave UL its final point when he completed a split free throw that had the Cobras trailing, 93-94.

Belande then sank a killer-pointer from the left deep corner, giving the Cobras a 96-94 edge with just 34.1 seconds to play.

After a botched play by UL in the next play, Eliud Poligrates made one of his free throws to extend SWU's lead to three, 97-94.

UL failed to secure the rebound after the second missed free throw of Poligrates, leading to another split by Clifford Maguate as the Cobras practically sealed the outcome of the contest, 98-94, with just eight seconds left in the clock.

Same talent
With the win, the Cobras now have a chance to duplicate the feat they achieved in 1996 where they were crowned champions.

"The talent that we have now is almost the same when we won that title in 1996," said Miego, who served as assistant coach to Eddie Ybañez in that title run by the Cobras.

SWU will play the winner between Cebu teams University of San Carlos Warriors and University of the Visayas Green Lancers, who were still completing their own semis battle as of this writing Friday.

While it will be an all-Cebu teams in the inter-collegiate division finals, the title match in the secondary division will be competed by visiting teams.

Pilgrim Christian College (PCC) of Cagayan de Oro City and Benedict International School of Quezon City booked finals tickets after beating their respective semis foes.

PCC clobbered the UV Baby Green Lancers, 95-82, while BIS trampled University of Pangasinan, 84-77. The championship games will be played Saturday afternoon at the same venue.