Lancers personify Visayanian spirit – Gullas

CEBU – University of the Visayas president Eduardo “Eddiegul” Gullas yesterday extolled the UV Green Lancers for personifying the Visayanian spirit anchored on their record-establishing feat in the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI) men’s basketball tournament two weeks ago at the Cebu Coliseum.

The Lancers completed a highly improbable comeback when they vanquished the once invincible Southwestern University (SWU) Cobras three times in succession to become the first team ever in CESAFI’s 13-year history to recover from a 0-2 series deficit on the way to clinch the coveted championship of Cebu’s premier inter-school cage league.

Prior to scaling the pinnacle of success, the Lancers were faced with tremendous odds against the Cobras who were unbeaten in a dozen games going into the championship round. Southwestern U further expanded its hardcourt dominance by sweeping the first two games of the series for their fifth straight win over the Lancers and 14th overall this season.

 To the surprise of many, the lion-hearted Lancers staged an amazing comeback perceived by some pundits as close to impossible and that is because they lived up to the true spirit of a Visayanian.

 â€œI have never been prouder than this championship that they won because they have shown the UV spirit – when the Visayanian fight best when the odds are greatest,” said Gullas in a press conference yesterday at the school’s Foreign Lounge. “We are also thankful to God because if not for our prayers, we could not have achieved this.”

 UV team manager Gerald Anthony “Samsam” Gullas Jr. unequivocally admitted that he himself thought of throwing in the towel when the Lancers found themselves stuck in a deep 0-2 hole against a formidable squad replete with talents and handled by a decorated coach in Raul “Yayoy” Alcoseba.

“I would be lying if I say that I did not think of giving up on our chances after we were 0-2 down in the series,” said Samsam Gullas. “But to be honest with you, that Game 3 victory gave us that strong feeling and confidence that we’re the ones who will come out as champions and I’m glad we did.”

The Lancers literally fought to their last breath in the regulation period and then labored hard in two overtimes to squeeze out a resounding 89-82 conquest of the Cobras in Game 3 to stay alive in the best-of-five title clash.       

Inspired by that morale-boosting victory, the Lancers again fought with fire in their belly to pull off a masterful repeat over the Cobras, 71-66, and up the stage of a blockbuster Game 5.

 Armed with the same vigor and iron will, the Lancers went on to fulfill their date with history following a gut-wrenching 64-62 triumph over the Cobras, 64-62, in the deciding match of their epic series to clinch their 10th CESAFI crown, ending a three-year title drought preceded by a record nine consecutive championships.

“I’m very happy that all the efforts and sacrifices of my players finally paid off. It’s really heart-warming to note that they’ve been rewarded for the courage they have shown and the hardships they endured. All the trials we went through are nothing with this sweet success as our prize,” said UV head coach Felix “Donbel” Belano Jr.

In claiming the CESAFI championship, Belano and the Lancers have already achieved their short-term goal.

They are now training their sights on their long-term goal – to wrest the Philippine Collegiate Champions League (PCCL) title this year. – EMMANUEL VILLARUEL/Freeman News Service