Cesafi Season 23: Duel of unbeaten teams highlight Saturday’s hardcourt action

Raul Gentallan (left) of UV Green Lancers and EJ Agbong (right) of the USJ-R Jaguars during their respective games in the Cesafi. | Photos from Sugbuanong Kodaker

Games tomorrow:

12:30 p.m. UCLM vs. UC Main (high school)

2 p.m. SHS-AdC vs. USP-F (high school)

3:30 p.m. UV vs. USJ-R (college)

5 p.m. UC vs. CRMC (college) 

CEBU CITY, Philippines — The much-awaited marquee matchup between the defending champions University of the Visayas (UV) Green Lancers and the new-look University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) Jaguars in the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (Cesafi) men’s basketball will unfold on Saturday, October 14, 2023, at the Cebu Coliseum.

Their basketball showdown is one of the most-awaited matches early in the league. 

The game pits the reigning men’s basketball champions and battle-tested Green Lancers of four-time Cesafi champion Gary Cortes and former San Sebastian Stags coach Melo Banua and his reinforced Jaguars squad. 

The Green Lancers clinched their third straight win on Thursday evening against the Verallo Foundation College (FVFC) Blue Dragons, 84-57, while remaining undefeated.

On the other hand, the Jaguars are the top team in the men’s basketball standings with a 4-0 (win-loss) slate. 

They claimed their fourth win in a hard-fought game against the University of the Philippines (UP) Cebu Fighting Maroons,51-47.

The Green Lancers will heavily rely on its starting five comprised of team captain Jim Paul Amistoso along with its top scorers in Raul Gentallan and Kent Ivo Salarda. 

Froiland Maglasang, Christopher Isabelo, and Rovello Robles will also be key pieces in Cortes’ game tomorrow. 

Meanwhile, Banua will likely field former San Sebastian Stag Milo Janao and ex-José Rizal University (JRU) Bomber EJ Agbong, who weren’t seen in action in their last two games. 

Also, the Jaguars’ core roster of team captain Justine Langres, Elmer Echavez, Jay Deiparine, Karl Cabulao, and Jake Engbino are likely playing tomorrow. 

Meanwhile, the University of Cebu (UC) Webmasters are seeking win No. 3 by taking on the struggling Cebu Roosevelt Memorial College (CRM) Mustangs.

The Webmasters are fresh from demolishing UP Cebu, 83-61, last October 5, 2023, while the Mustangs have a 1-2 slate after losing their last two games. 

Also playing tomorrow are the high school defending champions, the Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu (SHS-AdC) Magis Eagles against the University of Southern Philippines-Foundation (USP-F) Baby Panthers. 

Joining the action is the all-Webmasters showdown between the UC Baby Webmasters and the UCLM Webmasters. / dcb

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