CESAFI Season 14 unfurls today

CEBU, Philippines -  Two teams with great success stories in the past and with bright hopes for the future will collide in today's opening of the 14th Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. season as two-time champion University of Cebu Webmasters test the mettle of the University of San Jose-Recoletos Jaguars in the lone collegiate match at the Cebu Coliseum.

Their juniors counterparts will clash in the season-opener at 4 p.m.

Meanwhile, an elaborate kick-off bash will take place before the hardcourt hostilities highlighted by the traditional 'Grand Palabas', a series of production numbers to be rendered by dance troupes of the league's member schools. The other highly-anticipated part of the program is the parade of beauties vying for the coveted Miss CESAFI 2014 title both in high school and collegiate divisions.

Under coach Jun Noel, it's going to be a new season of hope for the Jaguars. A champion mentor in the commercial derby Noel took over the coaching reins from long-time coach Edito Salacut with hopes that this transition would catapult them into what is perceived to a promising year for USJ-R.

Noel, best remembered by the Cebuanos as head coach of the Negros Slashers that dealt several heartaches to the Cebu Gems in the defunct Metropolitan Basketball Association, is trying to mold the Jaguars into a legitimate contender unlike in the recent years that they always take early exit.

When he gave the Jaguars enough time to "ripen" by skipping at least five invitations for tune-up games and scrimmages, Noel doesn't intend to conceal something. He just want to make it sure that when they step on the floor tonight, they are indeed ripe for the picking.

Banking much on foreign player Quentin Luzoladio, a lanky yet aggressive defender, the Jaguars can also count on the holdovers from their previous roster in the likes of James Earl Regalado, Renzo Theodore Senining, Kyle Lajato, Edmundo Bayhonan and Fletcher Criss Galvez. Their rookies include Edmundo Catipay, Iron Suano, Mark Louie Labares and Ralph Jude Dinolan.

On the other hand, the Webmasters, whose bragging rights remained after winning two titles under the leadership of PBA MVP June Mar Fajardo, will simply try to make miracles by winning games without any import.

UC coach Roel Gomez can still rely on top gunner Jan Michael Auditor,  big man Johnny Sigasig, Ernesto Roche II and guards Justine Dacalos and Junas Marion Misa. (FREEMAN)