2008 CESAFI season opens today

Air-splitting banging of drums, roaring applause and a boisterous crowd all occur in one building today as the 2008 season of the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI) kicks off with another elaborate rites at the Cebu Coliseum.

Games today

(Cebu Coliseum)

1:00 pm  Opening

4:00 pm UC vs. USP-F (Jrs.)

5:30 pm UV vs. USC (Srs.)

The kick-off bash will be topbilled by the grand rematch between seven-time champion University of the Visayas (UV) Green Lancers and last year’s worthy finalist University of San Carlos (USC) Warriors at 5:30 pm.

Prior to the UV-USC showdown, the University of Cebu (UC) Junior Webmasters will take on the University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF) Baby Panthers in the season-opening match at 4 pm.

All eyes will surely be focused on the Lancers, who are tagged by most coaches as “more vulnerable” this year mainly because of the departure of UV’s towers of power and scoring demons in the likes of 6-foot- 8 Rino Berame, 6-foot-6 Ariel Mepaña, Eduardo Arda, Michael Luga, and Morsie Akad.

With that, 6-foot-11 skycraper Gregory Slaughter is left with the tedious task of carrying UV’s heavy load on his shoulders.

But of course for the Lancers’ to succeed and sustain their fairytale campaign, Slaughter needs the support of Boniber Sendrijas, Edrian Lao, and Eulogio Lasala, Jr at the post. The  likes of Chris Diputado, Ritchum Dennison and Harry Von Lanete will take charge of their backcourt.

In the part of the Warriors, they may have augmented their ceiling but the absence of sharp-shooting guard Niño Ramirez will be sadly felt especially if they need a go-to-guy who can score immediately in transition.

 The entry of Fil-Australian John Emil Rowe through is a welcome addition because he can provide assistance to USC’s top muscleman Enrico Llanto and Joven Cid Cortes, who might have his breakout season this year.

Tipped as the other strong title contenders in the collegiate division are the University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) Jaguars and the Southwestern University (SWU) Cobras, who are fresh from a championship finish in the 1st Lionel E. Bacaltos Mayor’s Cup Basketball Tournament at the Sibonga Sports Complex.

Completing the eight-team cast of enries are the UC Webmasters,  USPF Panthers, Don Bosco College Greywolves, and Cebu Institute of Technology (CIT) Wildcats.

Before the hardcourt hostilities, a grand opening salvo will take place highlighted by the selection of Miss CESAFI 2008 in both the juniors and seniors divisions as well as the colorful “Grand Palabas” that is a certified crowd-drawer since it was instituted in the league some years back.