Lancers aim high for lucky 7
Year 2007 and the mighty University of the Visayas (UV) Green Lancers are shooting for their seventh straight basketball title in the 7th season of the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. Now the big question, will the UV Lancers float in seventh heaven this year?
Most scholars of the sport invented by Dr. James Naismith think so, especially with the arrival of the 6-foot-11 Fil-Am goliath in Gregory Fuentes-Slaughter. The presence of the 19-year-old hardcourt bulldozer from
But inspite of his intimidating built, Slaughter will just be an ordinary figure in the presentation of the Lancers’ roster during the grand opening ceremony on August 4 at the Cebu Coliseum mainly because even he’s not around, the Lancers are still riddled with superior ceiling that has been considered as the major factor of their overwhelming success.
The Lancers have no secret winning formula because it is very obvious and a public knowledge that they easily stomped on their opponents because of superior manpower imbued with pure talents not to mention their adeptness and cohesiveness as a team.
Before Slaughter set foot on UV’s hallowed grounds, there were these winning tradition from the years of Joseph Ronald ‘Baby Shaq” Quiñahan, who then handed over the flaming torch of UV’s colorful history Rino Berame.
The Lancers lost the high-flying Morsie Akad due to an ACL injury he sustained in the CESAFI-sponsored Partner’s Cup last March. They also no longer have the sweet-shooting Jaysar Esperat and Jaymar Canoy, who have completed their playing years.
But look who’s coming? Coach Elmer “Boy” Cabahug brought in Michael Luga to boost their already formidable post, while Edrian Lao has been elevated from the junior ranks and Ariel Mepaña, who sustained an ACL last year, has been reactivated after being given a clean bill of health.
Luga, a product from high school, could be considered a “veteran” rookie, because this is the first time he plays for college although he already saw action in several commercial tournaments.
The complete UV lineup in the 2007 CESAFI cage wars include (in alphabetical order) Eduardo Arda, Rino Berame, Ritchum Dennison, Chris Victor Diputado, Von Harry Lanete, Edrian Lao, Eulogio Lasala, Jr.,Michael Luga, Anthony Manigque, Ariel Mepaña, Lucky Pitogo, Bomber Sendrijas, Gregory Slaughter, Sylvester Tancongco and Harlow Chad Villanil.
Since most of them were the major components from last year’s title haul, it is expected the Lancers remain a cohesive fighting force that will is so difficult to conquer.
By all means, UV is not only capable of annihilating their rivals, but it is almost certain they Lancers will take home their seventh consecutive championship since the birth of CESAFI in 2000.
Time and time again, all other CESAFI teams are dreaming to be in the Lancers’ fortress wearing a crown fit for a king. These dreams are infinite but as the saying goes “hope springs eternal”, who knows that this year could just be the end of the UV dynasty.
Until UV itself is willing to relinquish the crown, it would still be an unsolved puzzle as to who will tame the formidable Lancers in the CESAFI finals.
The USJ-R Jaguars tried thrice, while CIT, UC and USC attempted once to dislodge the powerful Lancers but none of them prospered.
With an overall record of 67-1 in six years of sowing hardcourt terror, the Lancers will start a new season of pride, destiny and legacy - the things they want their successors to emulate.
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