CEBU, Philippines – After a one-year absence, the University of Southern Philippines Foundation Panthers will make a return in the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. men's basketball tournament against the University of Cebu Webmasters today at the Cebu Coliseum.
The Panthers will clash with the Webmasters at 6:45 p.m. in their first match of the 15th CESAFI cage wars, while their junior counterparts will go up against defending champion Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu Magis Eagles in the opener at 5:15 p.m.
Under the command of new head coach Albert Alocillo, the Panthers are expected to rely on the likes of Branford Borces, Jawen Ceniza, Roy Quiachon and flashy guard Mike Patalinghug. Nothing much has been known about the Panthers and how they deal with the Webmasters will surely be a yardstick on how they will fare for the rest of the season.
The Webmasters, on the other hand, are aching to bounce back after being dumped by the University of San Jose-Recoletos Jaguars, 68-85, during last Saturday's season-opener. And this could be their best chance as they take on a lowly squad with no foreign reinforcement like them.
The biggest factor for the Webmasters could be Melvin Butohan, who did not play against the Jaguars as he was penalized by the team for not attending their practice.
Aside from Butohan, the Webmasters could also count on Garciano Puerto, Earl Montilla, Justine Dacalos, Wendell Santander, Clint Suelto and Joseph Mayol to carry their offensive load.
In the juniors level, the Magis Eagles are once again the heavy favorites as they open their title retention bid against the Baby Panthers. Among SHS-Ateneo's old reliables include Alex Roeland Visser, Travis Jelour Mantua and Andrew Vincent Velasco.
On the other end, the Baby Panthers of coach Joph Cleofas has the high-leaping Dennis Archival among his old guards, but he still has a lot of work to do against the Magis Eagles. — EBV with GGM