UC vs. Adamson in Zonal elims today

CEBU, Philippines - The road to the elite Sweet 16 for the University of Cebu (UC) Webmasters will begin in their own turf when they face UAAP fifth-seed Adamson University Falcons in the main match of the Philippine Collegiate Champions League (PCCL) zonal eliminations at the Cebu Coliseum.

Games today: (Cebu Coliseum)

5:30 pm USJR vs. SSC Recoletos-Cavite

7:15 pm Adamson vs. UC

A slot to the Sweet 16 is waiting for the top two teams of the Cebu leg and another two slots are at stake for the top two qualifiers in the Bacolod zonals where the CESAFI third placer University of San Carlos (USC) Warriors are in danger of being eliminated after losing to the NCAA fifth-ranked Arellano University Chiefs, 74-79.

Another Cebu bet seeking redemption are CESAFI fourth placers University of San Jose Recoletos (USJ-R) Jaguars, who will host the San Sebastian College Stags-Cavite, the NAASCU champions.

With University of the Visayas (UV) Green Lancers getting an automatic slot as incentive for winning the CESAFI crown, the Webmasters once again would try to prove a point that there is still a room for adjustment after losing to the powerhouse Lancers.

The Webmasters hope to bank on 6-9 slotman June Mar Fajardo to carry the cudgels.

The Falcons of coach Leo Austria will parade ex-UC junior standout Jan Julius Colina who is among Adamson’s brightest stars.

The team also includes Jeric Canada, Lester Alvarez, Leo Canuday and Mike Galinato, among others.

Last year, the Webmasters failed to adv ance into the Sweet 16 after losing to the Letran Knights of coach Louie Alas held in Ormoc City and this year.

UC coach Roel Gomez hopes to have a better showing this year.

The others who are on hand to fortify the Webmasters’ bid are sweet-shooting Moncrief Rogado, Janssen Abella, Kelvin Juliane, Kevin Quilantang and Rommel Luceno.

Meanwhile, the Jaguars of coach Edito Salacut, will be manned by Edwin Bibera, Kurt Amores, Marin Duran, Abulaiz Suliman, Edmar Pateno and Aniceto Lapiz, Jr. just to name a few.

The PCCL zonals will follow a single round robin format. The three-day joust ends on Sunday. - GGM (THE FREEMAN)