Monday, October 06, 2008 Jaguars’ final chance By Marian C. Baring Sun.Star Staff Reporter
WILL the University of San Jose Recoletos finally live up to the lofty opinion pundits have of them and stop the University of the Visayas Green Lancers who are just a step away from claiming its eighth straight title in the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. (Cesafi)?
At the start of the season, USJ-R was tipped by coaches from other schools to be the team that could stop UV from the throne. So far, the Jaguars have shown no hints
of brilliance, slumping 0-2 in the best of five finals.
If they have not come up with a solution to the dilemma that they are facing, the Jaguars need to make one now and fast as today will be their last chance to redeem themselves and hamper another UV sweep over the Jaguars in the Cesafi as they meet for Game 3 tonight at the Cebu Coliseum.
The Jaguars are being haunted by ghosts of past finals, when the Green Lancers swept them in the championship series from 2002 to 2004.
Though one UV fan may have expressed his school’s seemingly effortless run to the title with a placard that says “being a champion seems like a routine,” the Green Lancers still pursued their title-defense as ruthlessly as any team looking for its first title.
Anchored by league MVP Greg Slaughter, the Lancers asserted their dominance winning Game 1, 86-74 and pulled off a come-from-behind win last Saturday.
Slaughter’s impressive offense and his menacing presence at the post has been elemental in their win.
But he also got the needed assistance from Bonifer Sendrijas, Von Lañete, Ritchum Dennison and Chris Diputado and coach Elmer Cabahug’s secret weapons—his bench players—who had been the surprise factors in this finals series.
Over at the Jaguars’ side, USJ-R’s reliable veterans, continue their pathetic slide. The worst of the field has been Mythical Five member Luther Justiniani, who just could not get his act together in all two finals games. Another Mythical Five member, Armand Ponce, lost his usual spunk and no longer showcases his acrobatic, high-flying moves.
Meanwhile, in the juniors finals, the UV Baby Lancers and the University of Cebu Baby Webmasters battle in today’s first game at 5 p.m. for the lead in their series.
