UV lights bonfire to celebrate Green Lancers’ CESAFI 3-peat

CEBU, Philippines — A special celebration for a special feat. The University of the Visayas celebrated the Green Lancers’ three-peat and the Baby Lancers’ historic basketball crown in Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI) Season 24 with a bonfire before a grateful Visayanian community on Thursday evening, February 13, at the UV-Main Campus grounds.

Under the guidance of head coach Gary Cortes, the Green Lancers grabbed a third consecutive title in the collegiate cage wars of Cebu’s premiere inter-school athletic league last year.

In all, it’s a double Grand Slam for Cortes, basking in the glow of his sixth championship glory in eight straight Finals appearances since taking over the reins as Lancers’ chief strategist in 2015.

“First time to nako naka-experience og bonfire,” said Cortes. “Lingaw and honored mi nga at least gihatagan og bili ang among kadaogan. The presence sa amo mga boss, admin and students around the UV quadrangle made the event more special. Nakapadasig gyud sa team to do and perform more.”

“It was a memorable night for all of us. Full of gratitude for the acknowledgement of our accomplishments in the basketball field,” chimed in Lances team captain Jimpaul Amistoso.

On the other hand, the Jun Pepito and Ronaldo Bucao-mentored Baby Lancers etched their name in stone as CESAFI’s first ever Under 15 champions.

In the juniors division, the Baby Lancers settled for the first runner-up honors, barely missing what could have been a record-establishing golden treble.

The school’s top honchos led by UV Executive Board Chairman Gerald Anthony “Didi” Gullas, Vice Chairman Joselito “Jiji” Gullas,Treasurer Dr. Leopold Gullas-Lucero, Board of Trustees Jose Miguel “J-Mi” Gullas and Vince Lucero, and Lancers team manager Eduardo “Digul” Gullas III spearheaded the lighting of the bonfire together with UV President Dr. Conrado Iñigo Jr., Vice President for Finance and Quality Management System Dr. Rosemarie Cruz-Español, VP for Academic Affairs Dr. Anna Lou Cabuenas, and VP for Administration Elmer Ocaba.

They were joined by Student Affairs and Services Center (SASC) Director Dr. Anna Katrina Oaminal-Watin, Athletic Director Dr. Chris Mejarito as well as the different deans, directors, academic heads, principals, student body, and some parents.

During the momentous occasion, the Visayanians, standing tall and proud, also paid tribute to their outstanding student-athletes in lawn tennis, karatedo, scrabble and beach volley alongside their coaches.