Games today (Cebu Coliseum)
5 p.m. – SWU vs CEC (Jrs.)
6:30 p.m. – UV vs USJ-R (Srs.)
The University of the Visayas (UV) Green Lancers and the University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) Jaguars will battle for the early lead in the standings as they clash in the main game of today’s twinbill in the 16th Cesafi basketball tournament over at the Cebu Coliseum.
Winners over the weekend, the victor of today’s match in the men’s division will move up to 2-0 (win-loss) and claim the lead in the standings early in this season.
The Green Lancers are coming off a 69-48 rout of the Cebu Institute of Technology-University (CIT-U) Wildcats while the Jaguars edged the University of Cebu (UC) Webmasters, 81-75, during the season-opening games last weekend.
In the juniors division, the returning Southwestern University (SWU) Baby Cobras will take the floor against the Cebu Eastern College (CEC) Dragons.
But all eyes will be on the heavyweight matchup between the Jaguars and the Green Lancers.
Down to 10 men due to the academic issues suffered by some of their key players, USJ-R is expected to scratch and claw behind the play of spunky guard, Jaybie Mantilla, Mythical Five forward, RJ Dinolan, and high-leaping wingmen, Miguel Gastador and Tricky Peromingan.
But the task that faces them is tall as they take on a UV team that boast of formidable talent at every position starting with prized rookie find, Tristan Albina, and top gun, Rey Suerte. Also on deck are Liberian reinforcement Bassiere Sackour, Sheldon Gahi, Monic Soliva and skipper Josue Segumpan.