UV’s Gahi may miss Cesafi; Sackor replaces Coulibally

In this CDN file photo, Sheldon Gahi went for a layup in one of their Cesafi games last year. The hefty UV guard is expected to miss the season that will start on Aug. 25 due to injury.

The two-time reigning Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. (Cesafi) men’s basketball champions University of the Visayas (UV) Green Lancers’ road to a rare “three-peat” just got a lot tougher even before the season has started after veteran guard Sheldon Gahi broke his foot and is expected to be sidelined for eight weeks.

According to Gahi, the incident happened during practice when he drove down the lane and upon impact, felt something happen in his left foot. Later, a radiographic report confirmed a fracture of the 5th metatarsal bone, which according to Cesafi’s head physician, Dr. Rhoel Dejano, would take approximately eight weeks to heal, thereby putting Gahi’s participation this season in danger.

The 2018 season of the Cesafi begins on Aug. 25.

Gahi’s absence would mean more point guard responsibilities for Gileant Delator, former Most Valuable Player Rey Suerte and rookie Jim Paul Amistoso, said UV head coach Gary Cortes.

Cortes added that this sort of situation is nothing new to the Green Lancers who also went through a similar dilemma last season.

“His presence on the hardcourt will be missed, but our team is not a one-man team. We have a lots of reserves to fill Sheldon’s spot in the person of Delator and Amistoso and if needed, Rey Suerte, who can play the point,” shared the affable head coach.

“This is the same as last year when the team played with only Gahi as the legit point guard after (Coleen) Testa went AWOL (absence without leave), and it’s never a problem dealing with it,” Cortes added.

In similar news, Cortes said Liberian big man Bassieru Sackor will be coming back to play for UV, with Lassina Coulibally of the Ivory Coast still recovering from the knee injury that he suffered during the recent Cesafi Partner’s Cup finals.

“Sackor and Las have different qualities and individual strengths. Sackor and the team have delivered two Cesafi championships and if it is God’s will and we’re able to grab this year’s title, I would love to win with Sackor,” said Cortes.

But Cortes knows that the journey will not be easy especially with several members of his championship core — former Mythical Five members Monic Soliva and Jerome Napao, Tristan Albina and Jayson Balabag — gone from the team.

“It’s hard to stay on top, with lots of worthy opponents who are hungry for a championship. But with Sackor’s presence and some of our last termers, like Rey (Suerte) and Josue (Segumpan), I think this is more meaningful, doing it for one more try, before we part ways.”