UV, USJ-R fight for solo lead

CEBU, Philippines - Opening day winners University of the Visayas (UV) Green Lancers and the University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) Jaguars clash for the solo lead of the 13th Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI) men's basketball tournament today at the Cebu Coliseum.

The Lancers and the Jaguars collide at 6:15 pm, capping a heavy quadruple-header that will start with the battle between defending juniors champion Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu Magis Eagles and the Don Bosco Technology Center (DBTC) Greywolves at 1 pm.

The Cebu Eastern College (CEC) Dragons will take on the Cebu Institute of Technology-University (CIT-U) Wildkittens in the second game at 2:45 pm, right before the USJ-R Baby Jaguars collide with the University of San Carlos (USC) Baby Warriors at 4:30 pm.

The Lancers opened their campaign with an 81-62 thrashing of the University of Cebu (UC) Webmasters, while the Jaguars outsmarted the CIT-U Wildcats, 79-66.

Aside from the deadly one-two punch of John Abad and Wowie Escocio, the Lancers are also banking on their formidable frontline powered by their Cameroonian twin towers in Steve Cedrick Akomo and Mike Harry Nzeussue against the rookie-laden Jaguars.

They can also count on the likes of Chris Perolino, Arvie Cabañero, Rhaffy Octobre and rookie Leonard Santillan against the Jaguars, who found a gem of a pointguard in Rendell Thomas Senining.

In the juniors division, the Magis Eagles and the Wildkittens shoot for their second straight win that would align them with the 2-0 UV Baby Lancers at the top of the standings.

The USC Baby Warriors, on the other hand, hope to score their first win under new coach Carlo Britt Reroma, but they face another tough challenge against the big-hearted Baby Jaguars. (FREEMAN)