Monday, July 26, 2004 Cesafi four-peat in the horizon for UV Lancers By ROMMEL C. MANLOSA Sun.Star Staff Reporter
AS THE fourth season if the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. (Cesafi) basketball tips off on Aug. 8, no school shoots for greater glory than the powerhouse University of the Visayas Green Lancers.
The grand-slam winners are looking forward to their fourth consecutive title – and on paper they look headed for an achievement no school team has ever accomplished.
After sweeping all of its 35 games since the league changed its colors, UV head coach Elmer “Boy” Cabahug is eyeing to keep his team unbeaten.
Five towers
And while other teams have scampered to find legitimate big men, the Lancers have five guys standing not less than 6-foot-5 led by last year’s MVP, the 6-foot-5 Joseph Ronald Quiñahan.
The Lancer’s beefy frontcourt also has the Norman Randy and Ariel Mepaña, both at 6-5, Juripy Balague at 6-6, and Rino Berami at 6-7.
UV is determined to dominate the boards and shaded lane – two of the most vital departments in winning.
Cabahug has already blended his big men with Quiñahan and Mepaña taking turns as shooter, while Balague, Sevilla, Berami prowl the low post.
Shooters
The wing, on the other hand, has never been a problem for the talent-laden UV with 6-3 scoring machine Jayford Rodriguez and 6-2 Morsie Akad – who are both lethal from the perimeter and beyond the arc. The six-footer Vergel Abelong is also fast becoming a more accurate shooter.
UV’s backcourt will be taken care of by the 5-11 sparkplug Mark Ababon at point, backed by 5-10 JR Pepito and 5-9 Junlem Cabanes, while rookie Kim Calo, at 6-0, plays both the point-guard and shooter positions.
Experience will also be a huge factor as the field gets tougher each year. And UV’s grit and cohesiveness has already been tested in the local basketball circuit after playing in the Cebu Basketball Federation as the Skygo Motorcycle Riders.
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