Lancers eye 4-0 start

CEBU, Philippines - The University of the Visayas Green Lancers target a 4-0 start when they square off against the University of Southern Philippines Foundation Panthers in the 15th Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. men's basketball tournament today at the Cebu Coliseum.

After a no sweat win against the Cebu Institute of Technology-University Wildcats last August 2, the Lancers staged a great escape by overhauling a seven-point deficit with a little over a minute left to play to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat against the University of San Jose-Recoletos Jaguars, 89-82.

In their previous assignment exactly a week ago, the Lancers of rookie coach Gary Cortes met little resistance in a 77-62 romp of the University of Cebu Webmasters that further boosted their billing as one of the strongest title contenders.

Despite being the league front-runner, the Lancers still have a lot to prove especially that an acid test is still coming their way against the University of San Carlos Warriors, their fiercest rival for the coveted championship.

For the meantime though, the Lancers just have to sustain their winning ways and that is highly achievable as they hold all the aces in their 4 p.m. duel against the USPF Panthers.

As usual, the UV squad will heavily depend on its old guns in the mold of Franz Arong, Leonard Santillan, Alfred Codilla, Arvie Cabañero, Rey Suerte, Josue Segumpan, and Vincent Mendoza.

The presence of Nigerian reinforcement Steve Cedrick Akomo is a plus factor for the Lancers as they take on the Panthers, who are still searching for their first win after dropping three straight games. Right after the UV-USPF clash, the defending champion Southwestern University-Phinma Education Cobras seek to extend their winning run to three games after a season-opening loss to USC, but it would be a tall order for them as they battle a fired-up USJ-R Jaguars at 5:30 p.m.

Though off to a decent 2-1 start, life is undeniably tough for the Cobras of coach Raul 'Yayoy' D. Alcoseba. Playing without foreign import in an already depleted roster of only nine players, it's a struggle for them each game.Their limits will again be tested as they face the Jaguars, who have been effectively transformed by veteran coach Jun Noel into a cohesive fighting force.

The sight of Ralph Dinolan, Kevin Villafranca, Jaybie Mantilla, Nelvin Navarra, Mark Labares, Juan Miguel Gastador and Ricky Peromingan playing so well for the Jaguars is something that would send shivers down the spines of the Cobras.

As usual, the Cobras will counter them with their limited manpower that depends mainly on Mark Jayven Tallo, Jesse Bautista, Jan Michael Auditor, Anton Pardo, Giovannie Luz, and Melvin Holper.

Meanwhile, in yesterday's games under the juniors division, the Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu Magis Eagles soared to their fourth straight win via a 73-64 decision over the UV Baby Lancers, the USPF Baby Panthers whipped the listless Don Bosco Technology Center Greywolves. 71-40, while the UC Juniors Webmasters prevailed over the CIT-U Wildkittens, 83-64. (FREEMAN)