‘Clash of the Titans’

CEBU, Philippines - Expect a swashbuckling hardcourt action as the hotly anticipated showdown between league heavyweights University of the Visayas Green Lancers and the University of San Carlos Warriors in the 15th Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. men’s basketball tournament will finally take place today at the Cebu Coliseum.

Both sporting unblemished 4-0 slates, the Lancers and the Warriors will fight for the solo leadership in a surefire blockbuster match-up that is considered by many as a finals preview. Gametime is set at 5:30 p.m.

Not to mention that they easily dismantled their opponents in their previous assignments, a lot of elements make their duel more exciting and interesting to watch.

For one, the two protagonists figured in an emotionally-charged and highly physical encounter that resulted in the Lancers’ daring walkout despite leading by nine points in the third quarter during a goodwill game in Medellin months ago.

Their heated rivalry was further fanned during the CESAFI pre-season tournament last month in the city of Bogo up north. The Lancers triumphed over the Warriors in the elimination round, but eventually lost to the same rivals in the championship.

The tactical battle between rookie coaches in Gary Cortes of UV and Britt Reroma of USC is another sidelight that hoop fans in this side of the country should witness as well as the clash of foreign reinforcements starring Nigeria’s Steve Cedrick Akomo of the Lancers and Cameroon’s Shooster Olago of the Warriors.

By all standards, the Lancers and the Warriors are both standing on even grounds given their solid starting crew, the presence of reliable veterans and a deeper bench.

To complement Akomo, the Lancers have the likes of Leonard Santillan, Franz Arong, Alfred Codilla, Arvie Cabanero, Rey Suerte, Jerome Napao, Josue Segumpan, Kent Manzo and Vincent Mendoza among others.

For the Warriors to prevail, Olago needs huge support from the likes of Charles  Pepito, Ian Tagapan, Victor Rabat, Nico Magat, Ian Ortega, Giovanni Laguyo, Christian Maconocido, Kevin Oleodo, Kiefer Lim and Fil-Australian William McAloney.

To simplify things, both sides are loaded with talents. From backcourt to post-up operators and outside snipers, they all have the materials of a championship contender.

Now that their paths have crossed, the outcome will surely depend on which team has the bigger heart and stronger will to win. Before the UV-USC collision, the Cebu Institute of Technology-University Wildcats will shoot for their second win as they go up against the listless University of Southern Philippines Foundation Panthers in the other collegiate game scheduled at 4 p.m.

In the juniors division play, the University of Cebu Junior Webmasters will mix it up with the Don Bosco Technology Center Greywolves in the opener at 1 p.m., while the CIT-U Wildkittens will square off against the University of San Jose-Recoletos Baby Jaguars at 2:30 p.m. (FREEMAN)