CEBU’S best showcased their skills in the international arena last week and found it wanting.
Here at home, the University of the Visayas Green Lancers, the proud owners of seven straight Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. basketball title, couldn’t crack China’s Huaqiao University, 82-76, in the finals of the Asian University Basketball Championships.
After winning its seventh straight Cesafi title last year, the vaunted Lancers have now lost in three straight finals, the Collegiate Champions League to Ateneo, the National Student Basketball Championships to Southwestern University and then to China.
“They are very good. Their speed is extraordinary. It’s just that we played better than last time,” eventual MVP Guganeswaran Batumalai told Sun.Star Cebu after the game.
On the other hand, the lean and mean Cebuano delegation to the International Children’s Games, whose stint was organized by the Greater Cebu Sports Organizing Committee, ended their bid without any podium finish.
Tennis stars Ariel Torion, Jacob and Jessica Lagman only won a combined three games before finding themselves in the consolation draw, while table tennis’ Daniel Jay Tormis and Jean Phillippe Jawad-Honoridez also failed to advance to the medal rounds of the ICG.
It was a different cry from their stint in the Arafura Games in Australia, where the team won 11 medals, including four golds.
Despite the performance, GCSOC’s Jonathan Guardo was satisfied with the team.
“Competitions are always tough in the ICG. It always had been. But we can’t make champions overnight so we have to keep doing this until we finally have champions,” said Jonathan Guardo.
Also in the international arena, Mexican Ulises Solis scored his third straight win over a Pinoy, this time battering Glen Donaire to retain his IBF light flyweight title. Two judges had it 120-108, while the third saw it 120-107.
Solis has also defeated Cebuanos Rodel Mayol (eight rounds) and Bert Batawang (ninth round) last year. (ML)
