Coach Gary Cortes (left most) leads his UV Green Lancers during practice at the UV gym on Wednesday, September 20, 2023. CDN Digital photo | Immae Lachica
The defending champion University of the Visayas (UV) Green Lancers are all geared up for the brand new season of the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc (Cesafi), which kicks off Saturday, September 23, 2023, at the Cebu Coliseum.
The Green Lancers will once again be coached by Gary Cortes, who, since 2015, has led UV to six straight Finals appearances, winning four championships along the way.
Cortes also bared his assistants, whom he described as coming from a “winning line.”
Leading the roster of his assistant coaches is Rocky Alcoseba, the son of the late legendary coach Yayoy Alcoseba. Completing his lineup of assistant coaches are Raul Nuñez, Jojo Maglasang, Raymon Mercader, and Roger Potot.
Here’s the complete player lineup of UV for the 2023 Cesafi season:
- Jimpaul Amistoso (Team captain)
- Froiland Maglasang
- Zylle Cabellon
- Albert Sacayan
- Kent Ivo Salarda
- Rovello Robles
- Ivan Clark Alsola
- Marchie Sabanto
- Joshua Canoy
- Paul John Taliman
- Christopher Isabelo
- Kenneth Brillo
- Jhun Art Marco
- King Orcullo
- Raul Carlito Gentallan
Cortes, in an interview with CDN Digital on Wednesday during their practice at the UV gym, said he is confident with his current lineup, which has actually five rookies.
They are Isabelo, Brillo, Orcullo, Marco, and Gentallan, a player from Bukidnon whom he believes has a lot of potential.
READ MORE: With multiple Cesafi men’s basketball titles, does UV still feel pressured entering a new season?
UV will not see action on opening day. The Green Lancers will play their first game on September 30, with the University of the Philippines-Cebu being their first assignment.
The Green Lancers won the 2022 title at the expense of the University of Cebu (UC) Webmasters.
READ MORE: UV Green Lancers bag 14th Cesafi men’s basketball title; head coach Cortes hints at retiring
Check out this episode of CDN SportsTalk featuring the UV Green Lancers:
/bmjo
READ MORE: UV Green Lancers top Moalboal cagefest