THE University of Cebu Webmasters are hoping they’ll make another finals appearance in the 2010 Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. (Cesafi) collegiate basketball tournament.
And to do that, the team is making sure it won’t commit the same mistakes by having a deeper bench this year.
“Di na kaayo kapuyon ang atong starters kay naa na tay relievers nga maka deliver pud,” UC head coach Roehl Gomez told Sun.Star Cebu. “Last year naay mga positions nga kuwang gyud kaayo mao extended ang playing minutes sa atong mga starters.”
Gomez said his ace player Junmar Fajardo has matured and he is hopeful that they will make another finals appearance.
“Without Fajardo, we will probably make the Final Four but with his game improving, I believe we can have another trip to the finals. Fajardo needs to dominate this year and he needs to win a championship before we will let him go next year,” said Gomez.
UC has six new players—two rookies, two coming from its reserve list and two transferees.
“(Luigi) Bercede (from USC) is now with us, (Quinton) Heruela (former UV Baby Lancer) is also with us. (Ferdinand) Magallanes and (Daniel) Enriquez from the reserve list and Gerald Ampoon are our new players. I know very well that they can deliver,” said Gomez.
Gone from last year’s lineup are Moncrief Rogado, Fil-Canadians Keith Erwin Cayanong and Franz Bernil and Kevin Quilantang—who have academic problems.
Ten from last year’s lineup are back to give it another try.
“UV is still the team to beat. All their players are veterans and we cannot discount the fact that they are aiming for the Perfect 10 title so we cannot say that the title will be ours. UV is still strong as ever with or without (Gregg) Slaughter,” said Gomez.
To help prepare the Webmasters, Gomez and his coaching staff, along with the few alumni and former PBA players, play scrimmages with the team two times a week.