UC coach Atty. Kernn Sesante speaks to his players in Game 1 of the 2023 Cesafi men’s basketball finals at the Cebu Coliseum. | photo from Sugboanong Kodaker FB
CEBU CITY, Philippines—University of Cebu (UC) head coach Atty. Kernn Sesante likes his team’s chances now, after the Webmasters stunned the defending champion University of the Visayas (UV) in Game 1 of the Cesafi men’s basketball finals.
UC beat UV, 66-63, in the best-of-three series opener on Tuesday, December 12, 2023, at the Cebu Coliseum.
READ: Cesafi: UC stuns UV in Game 1 of men’s basketball finals
“We can say that we have better chances now that we are one game away [from the title],” Sesante said during practice on Wednesday, December 13, just hours after pulling off the upset and handing UV its first loss of the season.
Despite being just a game away from dethroning UV, the UC coach knows the series ain’t over yet.
“[The] job’s not done. We still have more work to do. UV is a champion team, I know they will make adjustments,” he said.
Jasper Pacaña paced UC with 13 points, while Luther Leonard had 11 markers in Game 1, a game where UC led by as many as 12 in the second half.
UV made it a close game in the final canto but UC held on to complete the upset.
Now, Sesante and the rest of the Webmasters are close to bagging the Cesafi crown they last won in 2011 during the time of PBA superstar June Mar Fajardo.
EXTRAORDINARY EFFORT
With emotions high, Sesante was quick to remind his players to keep their eyes on the prize and remain focused.
He said this is what he reminded his tem before the start of the finals.
“I told them before the game to treat Game 1 just like an ordinary game but we have to exert extraordinary effort,” Sesante said.
“In the same way, I told the guys going into Game 2 that we should not get too confident. We should still treat it as an ordinary game. Take it one game at a time,” he added.
UC actually lost to UV in the elimination round. Both teams were unbeaten going into that game.
READ: UV outplays USJ-R in Cesafi’s battle of unbeaten teams
UC that game strong but faltered in the later quarters when UV adjusted its defensive press.
Sesante, though, is confident that his wards have what it takes to make it on top.
When asked what’s one word that can best describe his team now, he confidently said: “composed.”
READ MORE:
Cesafi finals: UC coach Kernn Sesante vows to give a good fight vs UV
Cesafi Finals: UV’s Cortes expects tough finals battle against UC