A tale of UC guards: Teammates, no more now in the pro ranks

CEBU, Philippines- The entire University of Cebu community is obviously happy as two former Webmasters have been picked by separate teams in the 2014 PBA Rookie Draft last Sunday at Robinson's Galleria in Metro Manila.

Hulking pointguard Quinton Brian Heruela was selected in the third round as 26th overall pick by expansion team Blackwater Sports, while back-up guard Francis Luigi Bercede made the Mandauehanons proud as he made it to the final cut being the 41st and last pick overall by Kia Motors from among the 87 aspirants in the professional league.

Heruela and Bercede are former teammates of Junemar Fajardo, the No.1 overall pick in the 2013 Draft who guided the UC Webmasters to back-to-back championships in the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (2010-2011). It took him only in his sophomore year to grab the coverted MVP award under the Petron Blaze Boosters uniform. At the moment, the vastly-improved 6-foot-8 giant from Pinamungajan, Cebu is now making his mark as member of Gilas Pilipinas that will see action in the FIBA World Cup set from August 30 to September 14 in Spain.

While playing in the PBA D-League wearing the Big Chill jersey, Heruela turned heads and attracted so much attention to many teams that's why he became one of the hottest prospects in the annual draft.

Heruela, who played for the UV Baby Lancers before moving to UC in college, became a huge integral factor in the Webmaster's back-to-back title run because he is too big for his opponents and too quick for his size. And with the 6’9 Fajardo dominating the paint, there was no cloud of doubt why they don't win a championship. They halted UV's nine-year reign as CESAFI champions and successfully defended their throne  against the Southwestern University Cobras.

Bercede, for his part, also played in the PBA D-League under the wings of Hog's Breath Cafe Razorbacks.

While with Hog's Breath, Bercede found a new lease on life as he survived a "spleen" operation on September 9, 2013. He did not finish his D-League career, but  just last February, he played in an exhibition match as guest player for Global Port Batang Pier in the 2014 Cebu City Charter Day Cup.

Playing in the PBA is really Bercede's dream ever since he was just a kid who started playing hoops with the University of San Carlos SBP Passerelle squad until he became a juniors varsity.

Bercede thanked the support of his parents as well his friends, former classmates and coaches Roel Gomez and Jun Tan, who molded him to what he is today.

And with both of them now in the PBA, Bercede and Heruela will be guarding against each other soon. (FREEMAN)