Jancork Cabahug bades farewell to UV Lancers

CEBU, Philippines —  With a heavy heart, rising Cebuano basketball star Jancork Cabahug bids farewell to the Univerity of the Visayas (UV) Green Lancers, his family for nearly a decade, to open a new chapter in his career with the University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons in the UAAP.

Cabahug formally asked the blessings of UV Basketball team manager Gerald Anthony “Samsam” Gullas, Jr. in a meeting yesterday at the city of Talisay where the latter also serves as mayor.

“To boss kuya Samsam (Gullas), my profound gratitude for the undying suport you have given me throughout the years,” said Cabahug. “Big thanks also to all those who, in one way or another, have helped me in times of need.”

“To all my coaches especially to coach Gary Cortes, thank you for guiding me in my growing basketball career. I am most thankful to you. If not for my UV family, I wouldn’t be where I am today. I am very grateful for the amazing seven years!”.

Cabahug is the fifth player to exit the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. to seek greener pastures in Manila two months after the CESAFI cancelled its entire 2020 season due to the global health crisis.

His fellow All-Star teammate Gabriel Cometa is headed to the San Beda Red Lions in the NCAA. Reigning CESAFI Juniors MVP Leobert Andrew “LA” Casinillo of the Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu (SHS-AdC) Magis Eagles, and Vincent Raymund “Soysoy” Escobido and Nichole Jay Cabanero of the Don Bosco Greywolves are bound for the University of Sto. Tomas (UST) Tiger Cubs in the UAAP.

The 21-year-old Jancork is actually part of the fourth generation of cagers from the prominent Cabahug clan in Mandaue City to shine and establish an enduring legacy with the UV Lancers.

His uncle Elmer “Boy” Cabahug, as a Lancer, made history as the only Cebuano cager to win a set of a season MVP, a championship in the Cebu Amateur Athletic Association (now the CESAFI), and a national title both in high school and college.

His grandfather Eduardo “Eddie” Cabahug, nicknamed “The Skipper”, was the top gunner and co-captain of the Lancers that beat the Ateneo Blue Eagles, 64-53, to rule the 2nd National Inter-Collegiate Championships at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum in Manila in 1957. It was the first ever televised game in Philippine basketball history.

Jancork’s great grandfather Atty. Cesar Cabahug

was a key player of Visayan Institute (now UV) ballclub that became the National Open champions in 1938. In that same year, VI also gained distinction as the only Filipino team to defeat the visiting Waseda University ballers of Japan.

A versatile baller, Jancork himself is without doubt a star in the making. Aside from his good ball handling skills and prolific outside shooting, the 6-foot-3 forward also operates like a bulldozer at the post.

In his seven years with UV, Cabahug emerged as All-Star MVP both in high school and college. A consistent Mythical Five member, Cabahug won two CESAFI championships with the Lancers in 2017 and 2018.

The young but promising Cabahug said he felt comfortable walking down a new road in his hardcourt journey with UP since most of the coaching staff and players speak Bisaya (Cebuano language).

Maroons head coach Bo Perasol hails from General Santos City while Cabahug’s townmates Conrad Catapusan (USC Warriors) and Pio Longa (SHS-Ateneo de Cebu) are in UP’s current roster.

“I will give my 100 percent best. I will be more focused and give my full commitment and dedication to win. I will improve myself not only as a player but also as a role model in the society,” said Cabahug on his upcoming stint as an Isko.

More than reaching his dreams of making it to the PBA, Cabahug also yearns to become a champion in life wherever fate leads him.

“My ultimate goal is to fulfill my family’s wishes for me, which is to finish a college degree and become a professional basketball player. I also want to be a better version of myself both in basketball and in life,” ended Cabahug.