UV Lancers: Greener than ever

As the 5th Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI) basketball season kicked off last Sunday, hoop fans could already conclude that it is still the undefeated University of the Visayas Green Lancers who will bag home the championship.
Games today
(USC gym)
2 pm USJ-R vs DBTC
3:30 pm UV vs USC (sec.)
5 pm UV vs USC (col.)

This observation carries weight because the Lancers paraded the best players during the opening day at the Cebu Coliseum.

The way it looks, there's no doubt that the mighty UV collegiate armada is out to collect another unbeaten streak this year in addition to its league record of 46-game winning splurge in a four-year span under the behest of head coach Elmer "Boy" Cabahug.

It seemed the CESAFI crown is a private property of UV beause it has not been won by other teams, so far. Their being a four-time champion since 2000 made the Lancers synonymous to CESAFI itself.

Although four key players in Joseph Ronald Quiñahan, Jessie Binongo, Juripy Balague and Glenn Cabanes are no longer with the team, the Lancers are still the solid favorites to capture their fifth consecutive crown.

The absence of Quiñahan and the three other guys could be a factor, but even without them, the Lancers remain a formidable force to reckon with because they're still laden with taller patrolmen at the shaded lane and quicker guards who could anchor their backcourt machinery with savvy.

The Lancers are expected to squeeze the most from their triple towers in Randy Sevilla, Ariel Mepaña and Rino Berami, who is fondly called 'Yao Ming' because of his 6-foot-6 ceiling.

The Lancers are quick because veteran guard Mark Ababon is still there along with sophomore Kim Calo and deadly shooting guards Jayford Rodriguez, Morsie Akad, Vergel Abelong and Jezar Esperat.

Gaylord Santos, who has played with the Cebuana Lhuillier during the Cebu Basketball Federation days, could be one of the league's oldest rookies. The four other rookies of the Lancers are Von Harry Lañete, younger brother of PBL's Chico Lañete, Eduardo Arda Jr., Eulogio Lasala Jr. and Jaymar Tacaldo.

What made the Lancers unbeaten over the past four years is that they have a highly comprehensive program for basketball. Their recruitment strategy does not limit to Cebu alone as they are scouting for talents from other places as well.

The other underlying factor why the Lancers are able to bring in potential players into their roster is loyalty. This is because the former Lancers are bringing, if not recommending players like for example their sons, nephews, relatives and friends to join the UV cage squad.

The Lancers are the most-feared team in the CESAFI and literally, they are like ghosts haunting their hardcourt rivals.

For those who are ambitioning to beat UV, they should do it now in order for them to have a crack at the championship.

If not, it's another harvesting season for the UV Green Lancers.