Baby Lancers, UC jrs. begin title showdown

CEBU, Philippines — Defending titleholders University of the Visayas (UV) Baby Lancers and the University of Cebu (UC) Junior Webmasters begin their best-of-three championship series in the juniors division of the 18th Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI) men’s basketball tournament today at the Cebu Coliseum.

Game time is set at 6:45 p.m., right after the knockout battle for third place between the University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) Baby Jaguars and the University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF) Baby Panthers at 5:15 pm.

Given their plethora of talents led by the vaunted troika of Gabriel Cometa, Joshua Yerro and Berien Anthony Laurente, the Baby Lancers are poised to duplicate their feat last season wherein they clinched the championship with a perfect 12-0 record.

UV coaches Jun Pepito and Magic Bucao also have Mar Leandro Actub, Albert Sacayan, Dave Basalo, and Samuel Melicor at their disposal.

Above all things, the Baby Lancers have the psychological edge having dealt the Junior Webmasters their first and only defeat via a 78-68 decision last September 9.

While the Baby Lancers are eyeing for their first back-to-back crowns since completing a grandslam feat in 2003-2005, the Junior Webmasters are itching to end their 10-year title drought.

Interestingly, the Junior Webmasters barged into the finals for the third time in four years. They, however, lost to the Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu (SHS-AdC) Magis Eagles for two consecutive time in 2015 and 2016.

Coach Brad Samonte hopes that third time’s a charm for them this time around.

The Junior Webmasters have a reason to be optimistic owing to the presence of Isaiah Blanco, son of former PBA star Dondon Hontiveros who has been consistent in providing leadership to his team on both ends of the hardcourt.

For the Junior Webmasters to succeed though, Blanco needs full support from the likes of Jerick Ranido, Jasper Pacaña, Justin Mondares, James Incio, Joshoa Gellacone, and John Dajab among others.