Current Green Lancers battle former UV cage stars this pm

CEBU, Philippines - The present crop of Green Lancers, undoubtedly the most storied collegiate ballclub in the region, will strut their wares against the former University of the Visayas stars in a Charity Match this afternoon at the UV-Main gym.

Prior to their showdown that will surely be a rare treat to the Visayanian family, the UV Baby Lancers will go up against the University of Cebu (UC) Junior Webmasters in another goodwill encounter at 3 pm.

Lancers head coach Felix "The Cat" Belano, Jr., one of the brightest cagers UV has ever produced, invited ex-UV standouts who are mostly his teammates with the M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala in the commercial league to challenge his wards in the spirit of sportsmanship and fellowship.

Among the erstwhile UV hardcourt idols who will take on fresher legs include Jayford Rodriguez, Rino Berami, Mark Ababon, Chad Harlow Villanil, Morsie Akad, Ariel Mepaña, Bruce Dacia, Neil Rañeses and Stephen Padilla - all members of a UV champion team in both local and national competitions during the past years.

Belano, on the other hand, will call the shots for the current breed of Green Lancers, who are all primed up for the upcoming 11th Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI) men's basketball tournament set to open this Sunday at the Cebu Coliseum.

Belano, who immediately had a taste of crowning glory in his rookie season after steering the Lancers to the 5th CESAFI Partners Cup title last summer, will squeeze the most from UV's awesome foursome in Edrian Lao, Harold Cincoflores, Jerome Silva and Phil Mercader.

Completing the UV roster are John Michael Abad, Francisco Arong, Jr., Andrew Avillanoza, Arvie Cabanero, Wowie Kader, Vencent Mendoza, Raffy Octobre, Chris Perolino, Junard Premacio, RG Rios and Rene Saycon.

Tickets are priced at only P10. Proceeds of the event will be used to finance further needs of the Green Lancers in their quest to regain the throne seized from them by the Junemar Fajardo-led UC Webmasters last year.

Before that, the Green Lancers, then mentored by Elmer "Boy" Cabahug, wrote CESAFI history with an unprecedented 10 straight championship. – THE FREEMAN