USC faces uphill battle vs. La Salle

CEBU - The University of San Carlos (USC) Warriors brace for an uphill climb today as they go up against UAAP heavyweight De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Archers in the Philippine Collegiate Champions League (PCCL) Round of Sweet 16 at the San Juan Arena in Metro Manila.

Gametime is set at 4 pm.

The Warriors, who landed in the finals of last year’s Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI) season, will rely on rookie center Joven Cid Cortes but the question is whether his immaturity can bring a lot of impact to USC’s campaign especially that the Green Archers are definitely taller and are pesky defenders.

It would have been a little different if veteran center Enrico “Bogs” Llanto was in the lineup but his lingering back spasm made him physicaly unfit to suit up with the team.

Aside from Cortes, the Warriors can also count on nifty shooter Giovanni Padillo, Sam Jordan Hermmosa, Robert Gines Codilla, Gene Noel Gallarde, Paul Norman Joven, Edward Bakker, James Blanes, Johmel Igao and another rookie Fil-Australian John Emel Rowe.

USC basketball consultant and coach Mike Reyes divulged their chief game plan is to limit the production of Jayvee Casio and Rico Maierhoffer. Also, they must see to it that they don’t panic under the dreaded pressure defense by the Green Archers.

Last Monday, the University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) Jaguars bowed out from the tournament after suffering an 83-98 loss to NCAA grandslam champion San Beda Red Lions of coach Frankie Lim.

Tomorrow, the eighth-time CESAFI champion University of the Visayas (UV) Green Lancers, Cebu’s best hope of surviving in the league dominated by Manila teams, will go up against archrival University of the East (UE) Red Warriors at 4 pm.

 Six-foot-eleven giant Gregory Slaughter will be the Lancers main offensive weapon along with PBL guard Von Harry Lanete. On hand to support them are Chris Victor Diputado, Ritchum Dennison, Bonifer Sendrijas, Harlow Chad Villanil and Harold Cincoflores, among others.

The Lancers have an old score to settle against the UE Warriors, who booted them out during one of their PCCL meetings. The other UV nemesis in the prestigious league are the Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraws and San Sebastian Stags. – GGM (THE FREEMAN)