Worthy/UV, Phinma/SWU battle for solo leadership

CEBU, Philippines - Unbeaten contenders Worthy/University of the Visayas Green Lancers and Phinma/Southwestern University Cobras will slug it out for the solo lead in the 8th Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI) Partner's Cup today at the Cebu Coliseum.

The Lancers and the Cobras face each other in the main event of another heavy triple-header entering the season week of action in the CESAFI pre-season showcase supported by telecom giant Smart Communications.

The Lancers are coming off a 58-56 conquest of Mightly Sports/University of San Jose-Recoletos Jaguars to stay on top of the heap with an immaculate 3-0 slate.

On account of their back-to-back wins over the Jaguars and Tyron Properties/University of Southern Philippines Foundation Panthers, the Cobras are just a full game behind the Lancers, thus, making their 4:30 p.m. showdown more exciting.

As usual, the Lancers will rely on their old reliables in the mold of Rey Suerte, Josue Seguman, Jason Balabag, Jeromeo Napao and Michael Macion as well as their new bunch of talents led by playmaker Sheldon Gahi.

The Cobras, on the other hand, pin their hopes on back-to-back MVP Mark Jayven Tallo along with the comebacking Bernie Bregondo, Giovannie Luz, Anton Pardo and Mark Racho.

Before the UV-SWU duel, USJ-R and the Cebu Landmasters/University of San Carlos Warriors hope to break the 1-2 tie the binds them when they clash head-on at 2:45 pm.

In the 1 p.m. opener, My Led Opto/Cebu Institute of Technology-University Wildcats seek to improve their 1-2 record as they take on the skidding USPF, which is still without a win in three starts— EBV (FREEMAN)