USC, UV start bids in PCCL finals

CEBU, Philippines – Cebu team University of San Carlos  Warriors and runner-up University of the Visayas  Lancers will kick off their respective campaigns against the top winners of the Luzon-Metro Manila qualifying games in the 2015 Philippine Collegiate Champions League Elite Eight today at the Faith Gym in Tanauan City, Batangas.

The Warriors will take either the National University Bulldogs or the Olivares Sea Lions in the main game at 4 p.m., while the Lancers will go up against the Technological Institute of the Philippines Engineers or the Lyceum Northwestern University Dukes in the 2 p.m. curtain-raiser.

The Warriors gained automatic entry into the national finals by virtue of being the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc.   champions, while the Lancers had to go through an elimination stage. They eventually made it to the Elite Eight knockout stage after winning the PCCL Vis-Min Zonal last week  in Ormoc City.

Under the command of coach Bong Abad, the Warriors will field in practically the same lineup that made history for ending USC's 57-year title drought in Cebu hoopdom.

Led by the well-rounded Cameroonian import Shooster Olago, the Warriors have Ian Tagapan, Charles Pepito, Ian Ortega, Nicot Magat and Victor Rabat in their offensive arsenal.

The Carolinians could also rely on the likes of Mave Suarez, Dolan Adlawan, Christian Maconocido, Gio Laguyo, Kevin Oleodo, and Kiefir Lim. The only addition is Lucky Ecarma, who will come in place of the injured Ian Bensig.

On the other hand, the Gary Cortes-mentored Lancers will parade an equally-solid cast bannered by the lanky Cameroonian reinforcement Steve Cedrick Akomo, Leonard Santillan, Franz Arong, Alfred Codilla, and Jun Kent Manzo.

UV's other reliables include Arvie Cabañero, Alwin Aguirre, Vincent Mendoza, Josue Segumpan, Rey Suerte, Jayson Balabag, Michael Macion and Jerome Napao. The Lancers also hop to draw support from their newcomers in Monic Soliva and Christian Bolaño.

If ever both sides will emerge victorious, a much tougher assignments await them on Tuesday. The Lancers will face next the San Beda Red Lions, while the Warriors will test the mettle of the University of Sto. Tomas Growling Tigers.

The Lancers own the best finish by a Cebu team in the PCCL, placing second to Ateneo Blue Eagles way back in 2007. (FREEMAN)