Lancers eye win six in CESAFI cagefest

Powerhouse University of the Visayas (UV) Green Lancers go for a six-game elimination round sweep tonight when they battle the University of Southern Philippines-Foundation (USP-F) Panthers in the lone collegiate match of the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI) basketball event to be hosted by the Panthers at the USP-Lahug gym.

The UV Baby Lancers, on the other hand, go up against last year's losing finalist Cebu Institute of Technology (CIT) Wildkittens for a possible twinkill today.

In two games this season, the Lancers managed to ward off tough opposition as they held their ground and proved to their rivals they are wearing the hearts of the champion.

Last Sunday, they escaped with a 92-88 win over the University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) Jaguars, who played excellent ballgame for nearly 40 minutes but the Lancers stole the game in the dying seconds.

The biggest scare by UV came at the hands of last year's finals rival University of Cebu (UC) Webmasters, who just needed one final shot in the last few seconds to make a repeat of their 75-68 win last year but without any pressure, they showed the stuff the champions are made of and won, 74-72.

Now on a 5-0 rampage, the Lancers could go for a 6-0 sweep tonight against the Panthers whom they demolished twice last year.

Banking on height as their main weapon and quickness, the Lancers could not play complacent against the Panthers, who now placed second overall with a 3-1 win-loss record.

It is expected that when Rino Berame is denied an entry pass into the paint, the Lancers would go to their shooters in the likes of Morsie Akad, Jayford Rodriguez and Jaysar Esperat.

Their point guards were killing the Jaguars last Sunday and therefore, they are also expected to do the same, making most of the talents of Von Harry Lanete, who ignited the come-from-behind victory, Chris Victor Diputado, Frangel Omolon and Ricthum Dennison.

The Panthers' never-ending hustle in transition and a formidable fastbreaks can also do magic for coach Raul Latonio Sr. which he did in their 82-77 win over the Jaguars last August 6.

They maybe undermanned but the Panthers did not lack grit and courage.

Playing without Arletroy Mercader, who is now with the USC Warriors, Glenn Pendang and Elvis Labares who already graduated, the Panthers took in prized center Clefford Maguate to back up Randy Colonia. They can also rely on gunners like Moncrief Rogado, Dominic Ceniza and Jason Bartolabac and hopefully get scoring support from their rookies including Henry Mancera, the hero in their Jaguar's victory, Jordan Bardilas, Jeffrey Moriles, Ellison Rivera and Rodel Quinao.

In the secondary match, the Baby Lancers who swept the Wildkittens in last year's finals after posintg a 1-1 tie in the eliminations, hope to improve their 3-2 win-loss record to finish either at second or third place overall before the semifinals starts.

The Lancers and the Baby Laners have already scored double victory in two occasions this season- first last July 23 and again last August 12.

Meanwhile, CESAFI commissioner Felix O. Tiukinhoy Jr. announced that they have revised the format of the semifinals from the twice-to-beat advantage for the top two teams to a best-of-three series between the number one team against the number four and the no. 2 against the no. 3 teams.