Gerald Anthony “Samsam” Gullas (in white jersey) celebrates with the UV Green Lancers moments after winning the 2018 Cesafi men’s basketball championship last Monday.
CDN PHOTO/LITO TECSON
UNIVERSITY of the Visayas (UV) Green Lancers team owner and manager Gerald Anthony “Samsam” Gullas has seen his fair share of ups and downs in his nine years at the helm.
But he admitted that this Cesafi men’s championship that the Green Lancers recently won over the University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) ranks right at the very top.
“Definitely number one,” said the sportsman, who is vying to become mayor of Talisay City in next year’s elections. “We’ve done many changes in our athletic program this year, so it was a very difficult change.”
Gullas shared that this year, the UV athletic program aimed to give equal help to all of the school’s sport teams.
“The basketball team clearly had a budget cut to compensate. But I thank all my players and coaches for sticking it with us from day one. Through all the difficulties, they never left UV,” said Gullas.
It had been a rough ride for the Green Lancers, which lost several key players to injuries before the season started.
“It was a very rough season. To losing Lass (Coulibally) and Sheldon (Gahi), to having two losses to start the year, but my boys and our coaches, like the champions they are, regained composure and won it all in the end,” proudly declared Gullas.
UV must now prepare for what their next campaign would be as MVP Rey Suerte departs the team to chase his dreams of playing pro ball. Gullas had nothing but praise for the 24-year-old who helped push the Green Lancers to three straight titles in four seasons.
“Rey Suerte is a once in a lifetime player. He could have easily dominated Manila leagues. But he chose to stay with UV and we will forever be grateful. I have no doubt in my mind he will make it big someday in the big leagues. But the best thing about Rey is he led by example together with Toto (Segumpan). They went to school and finished their studies to show the true embodiment of a student athlete. I’m even prouder in that aspect than any basketball award,” said Gullas.