Leandro Actub of UV stretches for a layup against the CIT-U defense in yesterday’s game at the Cebu Coliseum.
LITO TECSON
Games today:
Cebu Coliseum
4 p.m. – UV vs USPF (High School)
5:30 p.m. – UV vs UC (College)
THE UNIVERSITY of the Visayas (UV) Green Lancers will try to learn the lessons from their previous finals skirmish with the M. Lhuillier-University of Cebu (UC) Webmasters as the two teams clash in Game One of the best-of-three finals in the 2018 Cesafi Partner’s Cup Preseason Tournament today at the Cebu Coliseum.
These two teams met in the championship round of the 2017 Cesafi season with UC taking UV by surprise in the series-opener, 85-77, before the Green Lancers regained their bearings and nabbed the next two games to capture the crown.
UV’s two-time champion head coach Gary Cortes relayed to Cebu Daily News that he has the utmost respect for their opponents and that their elimination round sweep accounts for nothing in this finals series.
“UC is a solid team, with a veteran coach. Even with our 6-0 record in the elimination round, that does not guarantee us of the championship. We will try to avoid the same situation in last year’s finals when they beat us in Game 1,” said the affable head coach. “I told the team to prepare themselves, physically, emotionally and spiritually, for them to stay focused until the final buzzer.”
In their lone encounter in this tournament, the Green Lancers authored an 80-74 win over the Webmasters behind the endgame heroics of former league MVP Rey Suerte, who scored 12 straight down the stretch to push UV to the win.
For that reason alone, UC head coach Yayoy Alcoseba has painted a target on the star wingman’s back. Asked what their focus will be heading to Game One, Alcoseba bluntly said, “Limit Suerte.”
Meanwhile, UV’s younger counterparts, the Baby Lancers, will also try to get back at the University of Southern Philippines Foundation, who they will battle for the high school title.
USPF upset UV, 78-73, in their only game in the elimination round.
UV assistant coach Ronald Bucao, who will be acting head coach today with Delfin Pepito manning Consolacion in the Governor’s Cup, said their chances lie in their effort on the defensive end.
“We will be focusing on defense, and on perfecting our rotations. We don’t have much to worry about on offense since a lot of players are contributing on that end,” said Bucao.
For USPF, head coach Alan Cabatingan shared that the loss of several key guys from their lineup has proved to be a blessing in disguise as it has given his players more opportunities to showcase what they can do.
“We just have to help each other, from management to the coaches to the players. We believe in working as a family,” said Cabatingan.
Meanwhile, the UV Baby Lancers duplicated the feat of their collegiate counterparts, after sweeping the elims with a 94-83 win over the Cebu Institute of Technology-University Wildkittens yesterday.
Leandro Actub torched CIT-U’s defense for 32 points.
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