Members of the University of the Visayas high school squad are all smiles during their guesting in Cebu Daily News’ weekly Sportstalk Facebook Live last Friday. CDN PHOTO/BRIAN J. OCHOA
Cebu’s best high school basketball squads will be seeking to raise the city’s banner up high in the SM-NBTC 2018 National Finals, which kicks off today in three venues.
Cebu champions, University of the Visayas Baby Lancers, has been ranked fourth in the tournament and will be facing off against the 29th seed at 5 p.m. in the afternoon at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
Cebu’s other representative, the one-time national champions SHS-Ateneo de Cebu Magis Eagles meanwhile, is ranked eighth and would be taking on the 25th seed at 11 a.m. today at the Palm Coast Marina basketball court.
The opponents of the Cebu teams are still being determined during the tournament’s seeding round, which is still being played in as of press time.
Last year, Ateneo de Cebu made it all the way to the finals but was denied by the mighty San Beda Red Cubs.
They are going to make one last run at capturing another national title with a loaded roster led by former two-time Cesafi MVP, Jed Colonia, Cesafi Mythical Five member Patrick Wilson Yu and 2017 NBTC Nationals Mythical Five members, Travis Mantua and Eroll Pastor, who were added to the team as reinforcements along with sniper Jeremy Nacua.
The Baby Lancers, on the other hand, seek to keep their incredible winning run going.
UV is on a high right now, winning the Cesafi crown last year, ending the four-year title reign of the Magis Eagles.
They then went on to capture the NBTC Cebu title earlier this year, putting an end to Ateneo de Cebu’s seven year championship streak of that competition.
UV will be heading to the tournament, filled with both confidence and talent.
Apart from reigning Cesafi MVP Beirn Laurente, they also have the likes of JJ Rosete, Joshua Yerro and 2017 NBTC All Star, Jancork Cabahug, who was picked to reinforce the team along with Ivan Maata.