Lancers gun for jugular tonight

CEBU, Philippines - The University of the Visayas (UV) Green Lancers shoot for the clincher, but they must brace for another tough challenge from the Southwestern University (SWU) Cobras in today's Game 4 of the best-of-five collegiate basketball finals of the 12th Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI) season at the Cebu Coliseum.

The Lancers and the Cobras will lock up horns at 5:30 pm, with the UV side of coach Felix "Donbel" Belano, Jr. seeking to finish off the series, which they currently led at two games to one.

The Visayanian hardcourt warriors are just one win away from claiming their 10th CESAFI crown and whether or nor they could celebrate that milestone hinge on how the Cobras would fare after dropping two straight games they could have possibly won.

The Cobras of legendary coach Raul "Yayoy" D. Alcoseba dropped a bombshell in the series opener when they vanquished the previously undefeated Lancers, 77-72.

UV nearly went down a deep 0-2 hole, but was lucky enough to avert such kind of disaster after escaping with an 81-79 triumph in Game 2.

The Lancers then showed the stuff that champions are made of in a 69-65 conquest of the Cobras in Game 3 last Monday.

In that heart-rending debacle, the Cobras could have snatched victory from the jaws of defeat when trailing by only three points, 65-68, with 17 seconds left to play, UV's 6-foot-7 Nigerian recruit Steve Cedrick Akomo was whistled four a technical foul for resenting a call.

The Cobras, however, wasted away that golden opportunity when Benito Ortuyo and Justin Aboude missed four consecutive free throws. Still, SWU had the chance to at least send the game into overtime, but the Cobras couldn't make one good offensive in their final possession to complete their agony.

Aside from Akomo, the Lancers will again count on the likes of Jerome Silva, Phil Mercader, John Abad and Eman Calo to carry their offensive load. Hernal "Wowie" Escocio has yet to show up and prove he is worthy of the MVP award.

The Lancers can also bank on Rene Saycon, Chris Perolino and Vincent Mendoza as they hope to end their two-year title drought.

After winning an unprecedented nine straight championship, the Lancers were eventually dethroned by the University of Cebu (UC) Webmasters, then led by June Mar Fajardo, back in 2010. UV did not make it to the finals last season.

The Cobras, on the other hand, are pinning their hopes on Aboude and Benoit M'Bala, their Cameroonian twin towers who are highly effective in containing UV's big men at the post.

Among SWU's local gunners to watch out for are Monbert Arong, Benito Ortuyo, Bernie Bregondo, Bonifacio Guillena, and Joseph Nalos. The Lancers should keep an eye on them especially Arong, who is expected to bounce back after a disgraceful performance in their previous match where he was held scoreless in the entire 40-minute skirmish. (FREEMAN)