A REMATCH a decade in the making finally ensues today as the “three-peat-seeking” University of the Visayas (UV) Green Lancers battle the University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) Jaguars in Game One of the best-of-three championship series of the 2018 Cesafi men’s basketball tournament at the Cebu Coliseum.
Game time is slated at 6 p.m. after the game for third place between the University of Cebu (UC) and the University of San Carlos (USC).
UV head coach Gary Cortes is leaving no stone unturned in their preparation for USJ-R, which he considers to be a “challenging opponent.”
The Green Lancers are the hottest team in the league, having won seven straight games after finishing the first round of eliminations with an even 3-3 win-loss record. Their winning streak includes a close 84-83 win over the Jaguars which made up for their 73-89 loss to USJ-R in the first round.
Nevertheless, Cortes is imploring his wards to leave it all on the floor as they embark on a quest to bring home a third straight title and 13th overall back to their campus.
“I am thankful to the boys for playing hard when we needed it after the bad start. I just told them to stay focused and play hard as if this was their last game. USJ-R is a tough and a challenging opponent,” said Cortes.
The Jaguars will be tough nuts to crack with a veteran-laden crew led by the reigning MVP versatile guard Jaybie Mantilla, former Mythical Five forward RJ Dinolan, do-it-all wingman Nichole Ubalde and towering center Segamars Ewenike from Nigeria.
UV’s attack will be led by one-time MVP, Rey “The Flying Carpet” Suerte, sharpshooter Josue Segumpan, Jancork Cabahug and Liberian student-athlete Bassieru Sackor.