Legendary ex-Warrior: USC has what it takes to win Cesafi title

After witnessing the University of San Carlos (USC) Warriors throttle the favored Southwestern University (SWU) Cobras in Game 2 of the best-of-five championship series of the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. (Cesafi) men’s basketball tournament on Tuesday, PBA legend Ramon Fernandez is convinced that his former school can indeed pull off the title win.

“They certainly have the heart to do it. If they can keep on playing that terrific defense, they have a chance to take the title,” said Fernandez, undisputedly the ultimate Warrior of all Warriors owing to a well-deserved reputation as one of the greatest Filipino basketball players of all time.

Fernandez, a native of Maasin, Leyte, suited up for the Warriors from 1970 to 1972 before joining the Manila Braves in the defunct Manila Industrial and Commercial Athletic Association and embarking on a 19-year career that saw him end up as the PBA’s all-time leader in points, rebounds and blocked shots.

Fernandez has been a constant presence in this year’s finals where USC is aiming to win its first crown in league history. And Fernandez is optimistic about their chances after watching the Warriors hold the Cobras to their lowest points output this season in a 53-46 victory that tied the series at 1-1.

“That was really terrific display of both individual and team defense,” said Fernandez of USC’s defensive stand that held SWU’s import Landry Sanjo to pedestrian numbers of 13 points and four rebounds. Reigning league MVP Mark Jayven Tallo, was worse off, going scoreless.

Still, Fernandez said that USC could still stand to improve in the coming games especially on the defensive end of the floor.

“They certainly can do a lot better especially with their defense on Mark Tallo. They don’t have to send help defense at him. They can take him one-on-one and lean on their man in the middle, (Shooster) Olago. They’re helping out too much and leaving other shooters open,” critiqued the 6-foot-5 living legend.