Crucial semis games up in CESAFI

CEBU, Philippines – For a moment, the Cebu Coliseum is expected to be transformed into a suspense theater as crucial games will close the collegiate division semifinals of the 15th Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. men’s basketball tournament this afternoon.

The University of the Visayas Green Lancers are in a must-win situation against the Southwestern University Cobras in their 5:30 p.m. duel, while the University of San Carlos Warriors are also needing a victory over the University of San Jose-Recoletos Jaguars in their 3:45 p.m. encounter to gain safe passage to the finals.

Interestingly, today’s collegiate double-header presents remote, but highly probable scenarios that may alter the course of the dream UV-USC finals match that is already the mindset of many followers of the league.

The first possibility is that if ever the Jaguars will beat the Warriors by at least four points and the Lancers lose to the Cobras, it’s going to be USC versus USJ-R in the finals.

In the event the Jaguars will prevail over the Warriors by at least four points and the Lancers triumph over the Cobras, USJ-R will advance into the final battle against UV.

In case the Warriors and the Cobras will emerge victorious, it’s going to be USC versus UV in the championship.

Given all these possibilities, all that the Lancers and the Warriors need is to pull off decisive wins to set up a highly-anticipated title showdown without any glitch.

But as they say, anything can happen and all will be settled only after the games.

Both the Lancers and the Warriors are heavily favored having bested their respective foes twice already in the elimination round, but they must not take any chances as the Jaguars and the Cobras will surely fight at all cost with their backs pinned against the wall.

As usual, the Lancers will bank on Steve Cedrick Akomo,  Franz Arong, June Kent Manzo, Alfred Codilla and Leonard Santillan to counter the undermanned but resilient Cobras manned by Mark Jayven Tallo, Jesse Bautista, Anton Pardo, Michael Auditor, Giovanie Luz and Melvin Holper.

The Warriors, on the other hand, will count on Shooster Olago, Ian Tagapan, Nico Magat, Victor Rabat, Ian Ortega and William McAloney to deal with the hard-fighting Jaguars force of Kevin Villafranca, Ralph Dinolan, Miguel Gastador, Nelvin Navarra, Mark Labares, and Ricky Peromingan.

In the opener at 2 p.m., the UV Baby Lancers and the USC Baby Warriors will figure in a knockout match for the third place honors in the juniors division. (FREEMAN)