UV Lancers gear up for two major events

CEBU, Philippines - The University of the Visayas  Green Lancers take another stab at glory, not only in one but two major tournaments starting off with their return to action after a six-year absence in the Private Schools Athletic Association National Games on April 6 in Tagum City.

The bigger challenge for the reigning Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc.  men's basketball champions, however, is up in the 2014 Filoil Flying V Hanes Premier Cup, which will tip off on April 23 at the Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan City.

"Usually, we only get a chance to play against Manila teams during the Philippine Collegiate Champions League. Right now, it's an opportunity for our players to further showcase their talents against top teams from Manila," said UV Lancers team manager Gerald Anthony "Samsam" Gullas  Jr., referring to their upcoming stint in the Big City.

"It's also an opportunity for them to grow as a team, gain more experience and hopefully win our 11th championship (in the CESAFI)," added the Cebuano congressman representing the First District of Cebu.

In the FilOil league, the CM Farm-sponsored UV Lancers are bracketed alongside bitter rivals Southwestern University Cobras, University of San Carlos Warriors, La Sa Green Archers, Mapua Cardinals, JRU Hevy Bombers, and the UE Red Warriors.

The other contending squads include the San Beda Red Lions, San Sebastian Golden Stags, UST Growling Tigers, Letran Knights, NU Bulldogs, Perpetual Help Altas, FEU Tamaraws, EAC Generals, Lyceum Pirates, Saint Benilde Blazers, Adamson Soaring Falcons, UP Fighting Maroons, RP Youth U17, CEU Scorpions, and Holy Trinity Wildcats of General Santos City.

The tournament follows a single-round robin format in the elimination with teams only playing those in their group. The top two per group and the two best third-placers (based on quotient) will advance to the quarterfinals.

In the quarterfinals, teams will be ranked from first to eighth places applying the win-loss record and the quotient system. They will play a knockout game based on the following match-ups:1 versus  8, 2 versus 7, 3 versus. 6, and 4 versus 5.

In the semis, the sudden-death games will be based on the following match-ups: winner of 1-8 versus winner of 4-5 and winner of 2-7 versus winner of 3-6. The winners will then proceed to the knockout round.

As for their chances, Samsam Gullas assured the Lancers will put up a highly competitive show.

"We expect to be competitive. We also want to show that our talents is not only good for Cebu but also on the national stage. We want to be competitive but we also want to win as well," said Gullas.

For his part, UV coach Felix "Donbel" Belano Jr. gamely admitted that at this point he is still in the process of formulating the right chemistry for his team.

"We have to jell yet as a team because we have a lot of  new players to mix with our veterans but rest assured we will give a good fight in every game we take," said Belano, a former PBA star who holds the record for being the only player to chart a quadrupple-double in the Philippine basketball history. (FREEMAN)