Warriors, Lancers begin title showdown

CEBU, Philippines – The University of San Carlos Warriors and the University of the Visayas Green Lancers kick off their best-of-five championship showdown in the collegiate division of the 15th Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI) men's basketball tournament today at the Cebu Coliseum.

The Warriors and the Lancers clash for the fourth time this season at 5:30 p.m., right after the Southwestern University Cobras and the University of San Jose-Recoletos Jaguars collide in the deciding match of their best-of-three series for third place honors and a berth to the Visayas qualifying of the Philippine Collegiate Champions League (PCCL) next month in Ormoc City.

It's no less a dream finals for the league heavyweights that have been tipped as the fiercest rivals for the coveted title this season owing to their equally-talented starting unit and solid supporting cast.

USC coach Britt Reroma said they are the underdogs in the series going up against the 10-time champions, but the figures say otherwise considering that have beaten the Lancers twice in their previous three meetings.

The Warriors prevailed via a 79-69 decision during their first encounter, but the Lancers bounced back in style, dumping the Carolinians by 31 points, 74-43, in their rematch. The Warriors, however, quickly reaffirmed their mastery over the Lancers in a 79-75 overtime victory during the semifinals.

Now that they bring their acts to a different level where the stakes are higher, it is at this stage that there should be no margin of error for both sides. The one who will commit costly mistakes will pay dearly for it in the end.

As for the Warriors, they rely mainly on import Shooster Olago, who is not only their top scoring machine but also their chief patrolman at the shaded lane. At the frontcourt, they can also count on the likes of Fil-Australian William McAloney, Mave Suarez Dolan Adlawan.

Coach Reroma also has a bunch of local gunners at his disposal in Ian Tagapan, Ian Ortega, Nico Magat and Victor Rabat. They also have a reliable three-man guard rotation in Gio Laguyo, Kiefer Lim and Christian Maconocido, making them an all-around fighting force.

But the Lancers also parade a similarly formidable crew led by Steve Cedrick Akomo. Loaded with tough enforcers at the post in Alwin Aguirre, Arvie Cabañero and Jerome Napao, they also have lethal weapons in Franz Arong, Alfred Codilla, Leonard Santillan, and flashy playmaker Jun Kent Manzo. Rey Suerte and Vincent Mendoza could also provide them the needed offensive support once given a chance.

Though the Warriors and the Lancers are both powered by high-grade rosters, it's already the finals where everything is literally back to scratch. And as it has always been in the past, the championship glory will shine upon the team with the biggest fighting heart and strongest will to win. — EBV (FREEMAN)