Tall order for Cameroonian

THE University of the Visayas Green Lancers head coach Felix “Donbel” Belano Jr. gave high marks to his new Cameroonian recruit Mike Harry Nzeusseu Djountcheu.

Belano expected Nzeusseu to rally the Lancers on its mission to regain the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. (Cesafi) title as well as the elusive Philippine Collegiate Champions League (PCCL) title.

“Mike is an exceptional player, the kind of player you can rely on in almost everything. I’m glad that he is part of our team and not on the opposing team,” Belano told Sun.Star Cebu.

This early, the UV management already addressed the documentation of Nzeusseu.

Nzeusseu and UV’s first Cameroonian recruit Steve Cedrick Akomo visited the office of Cebu Alien Control Officer Casimero Madarang III to get the needed documents from the Bureau of Immigrations office.

“We made sure to have their legal documents early so that we won’t face the same problem we had last year. So far, they have already secured the necessary papers and if in case there will be minor hitches, we will be able to address these immediately,” added Belano.

Last year, the Cameroonian players’ participation was put on hold after the authorities found out that they were holding on to tourists visas and not student visas.

The Lancers coach assured that Nzeusseu can hold his ground against either Benoit Mbala or Justin Aboude of the Southwestern University.

“Mike can hold his ground against players like Mbala or Aboude. However, he will be a problem to the other teams because no local players can stand their ground against him. I already tried that against our players. He is unstoppable against them. And with Steve getting mature, we are in good position going into the next Cesafi season,” Belano said.

Belano is retooling his Lancers now that five of his local players are no longer eligible to play next season.

“Some players from our Team B will be elevated, while we are still open for walk-ins and tryouts. We are also scouting for new players. The vacant positions are slowly being filled,“ Belano explained.

His assistant coaches Van Halen Parmis and Bong Begontes are taking care of the scouting.