UV Lancers to hold extensive try-out starting Monday

CEBU, Philippines - In an effort to rebuild a formidable fighting force on the hardcourt following an unsuccessful campaign in last year's Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI) men's basketball tournament that eventually led to the resignation of longtime coach Elmer "Boy" Cabahug, the University of the Visayas Green Lancers will hold an extensive try-out this Monday from 3 to 6 pm at the UV gym.

UV assistant vice president for finance and administration Gerald Anthony "Samsam" V. Gullas, who is also the team manager, said this is part of their massive buildup for the upcoming CESAFI cage wars that will commence with the Partner's Cup this July.

Gullas said the try-out is open to all interested hoopsters but contrary to the customary system, the undertrainees as well as UV's holdovers from the last CESAFI season will join the selection process to ensure that only those who are worthy enough will be picked to don the Green Lancers' jersey as they bid to regain lost pride and glamour.

"We will start from scratch. This is going to be an all-out tryout. It is open to all including the regular players and undertrainees of UV," said Gullas.

Gullas said the try-out will be supervised by their newly-hired bench tactician, whom they will formally introduce to the media this Monday morning with no confirmed venue.

Gullas said the try-out will be conducted regularly and the number of participants will be pruned down until such time they will be able to come up with a highly competitive squad.

"We are doing this so that all those who will join the try-out will show all what they've got and give their best shot. We want to select the 'best of the best' to form part of the new UV Lancers in the upcoming CESAFI season," said Gullas.

Under the tutelage of Cabahug, the UV Lancers won a historic nine-straight championship that dated back to CESAFI's inception in 2000.

But in 2010, UV's magical run was dealt with a crushing blow with the departure of their prized center Greg Slaughter, who opted to accept a juicy offer from the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles instead of serving his last playing year with his alma mater.

The Green Lancers did march into the finals but were overpowered by the Junemar Fajardo-led University of Cebu (UC) Webmasters, 1-3, in their best-of-five title showdown. UV won only one game, marking the end of a nine-year domination in the region's premiere collegiate cage league. (FREEMAN)