Lancers eye sixth diadem: Baby Lancers also bid for crown in secondary division

After a close 96-89 victory in Game 1, the mighty University of the Visayas (UV) Green Lancers will be going for a two-game sweep of the University of San Carlos (USC) Warriors in the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI) finals tonight at the Cebu Coliseum.

The Baby Lancers will also try to wrap it up earlier today against the University of Cebu (UC) Junior Webmasters as UV braces for another double championship victories they achieved last year.

Banking on vast championship experience they have in winning five CESAFI titles already, the Lancers will not only rely on Rino Berame or Jayford Rodriguez because even if the two guys are not scoring well, the other team members can fit in their shoes particularly two star roookies Chris Victor Diputado and Ritchum Dennison who came up with huge number in Game 1, banging in 18 and 16 points, respectively.

At least for coach Elmer "Boy" Cabahug, he need not worry whom to go in tight situations in order to weather the storm as he can also lean on guards Von Harry Lanete and Morsie Akad.

Lanete came up with a late fourth-period heroics in Game 1 as after knotting an 85-all deadlock in the crucial stretch, he and Akad went all the way to score 10 of the final 14 points for the Lancers in that final hurrah to seal the victory with Diputado owning the other four markers.

Man-for-man, the Lancers have a deeper bench and they're superior compared to the Warriors, who are in their first CESAFI finals after 35 years, seeking not just school history but a basketball glory as well.

At least they have four key players to rely on to achieve maybe not the championship at all but just a little flash of hope having the feat for beating UV, which is now in its 66-1 rampage in the six-year old CESAFI. including a 6-0 sweep in the eliminations and a playoff win over the USJR Jaguars. The Lancers are 8-0 this season and counting for their ninth win and sixth title.

The four key players, who could do better than the rest for the Warriors are pivotman Enrico Llanto, who seemed unstoppable at the paint, bulldozing his way for 28 points in their Game 1 loss.

Of course, there are Arletroy Mercader, Vernino Tangarorang and topgunner Niño Ramirez, son of coach Jay Ramirez, who is regarded the heart and soul of the Warriors' offense.

Put Ramirez away of the game and the job is partly done, at least in this finals battle where boys are separated from the men.

The same holds true for the Edrian Lao and Phil Mercader-led Baby Lancers who also smelled blood against the Mark Gil Panerio, Robinson Mohamad, Billy Connors and Reynan Capoy-led Junior Webmasters.