Lancers or Jaguars?

Will UV move to the finals and go for its seventh consecutive title or will USJ-R end the six-year reign of UV?

Tonight, basketball aficionados will know the answers to these questions when six-time and defending champion University of the Visayas (UV) Green Lancers play the University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) Jaguars in a do-or-die encounter at the Cebu Coliseum.

The winner will earn the right to meet the University of San Carlos (USC) Warriors for CESAFI’s collegiate championship.

Priming up tonight’s rubbermatch is the battle for third place in the secondary division between the University of San Carlos (USC) Baby Warriors and the University of Southern Philippines (USPF) Baby Panthers.

The Lancers have been in quandary in the current best-of-three semifinals against the Jaguars. In the first game, they have to overcome a 17-point deficit to escape with an 80-79 victory. In the second match, UV were in the hole again by 13 points in the last three minutes but its rally was stopped by the Jaguars in a 78-79 loss.

The Jaguars seem to have the Lancers’ number this season. They are the only team to beat UV twice in one season including a resounding 84-71 conquest in the elimination round.

For the record, the Jaguars beat the Lancers in the Partner’s Cup with the Jaguars donning the colors of VFI Hotdogs while the Lancers played for CDO Hamburgers. If that counts, then the Jaguars have beaten the Lancers three times this year.

The Lancers will rely on their championship experience. They will exploit their height advantage with 6-11 Fil-Am Gregory Fuentes Slaughter, Ariel Mepana and 6-8 Rino Berame. UV also enjoys a formidable backcourt in Von Harry Lanete, Chris Victor, Diputado, with shooters Michael Luga and Harlow Chad Villanil adding more firepower.

The Jaguars are no pushovers, however. They have proven they can be a potent force in the hard court after Sunday’s victory.

They have reliables in Lyndon Gudez, Armand Ponce, Boby Hatague, Ranulfo Malinao, Randy Pogoy, Jabe Delfino, Manny Gabas and Jessmar Villahermosa. They also have rookie Edwin Bibera, who played like a veteran and delivered for the Jaguars last Sunday.