Coach Gary Cortes celebrate with the UV Green Lancers after winning their 15th Cesafi men’s basketball title. | Photo from Sugbuanong Kodaker
CEBU CITY, Philippines — The University of the Visayas (UV) Green Lancers further cemented their hold as the winningest Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (Cesafi) men’s basketball team after defeating the University of Cebu (UC) Webmasters, 60-41, in Game 3 of their Best-of-Three finals series on Saturday, December 16, 2023, at the Cebu Coliseum.
The UV Green Lancers achieved back-to-back titles and on top of that. They already have a total of 15 Cesafi men’s basketball titles.
Known for their signature ‘old school’ style basketball, UV has another key to beating UC in the finals.
UV’s head coach Gary Cortes, who bagged his fifth Cesafi title in seven finals appearance, told CDN Digital after the game that their “never say die” attitude put them on top.
“Ang factor siguro namo ngano nakadaog mi kay sa never say die spirit sa team. Walay star complex ug dili divided nga grupo within the team,” said Cortes.
“Among mindset heading into Game 3 was to play harder, dili na ta mo reserve ug energy kay wala nay dula ug practice ugma kay last na ni.”
UV didn’t give UC an inch throughout their lopsided showdown. They led as many as 14 points heading into the final period and stretched it to 19, 60-41, in the end game as a testament to their dominating game.
UC gave UV a scare in the series after winning Game 1, 63-66, last December 12, but the latter stayed alive with their 53-41 victory in Game 2, forcing a rubber match.
“It’s a sweeter victory for me kay naunhan mi nila ug daog sa Game 1, nakabawi mi sa Game 2, karon lopsided na gyud among victory. Salamat kaayo sa Ginuo ug tanan supporters sa UV,” Cortes said.
Cortes revealed that they’re confident to etch a grandslam or three peat for next season as 12 of his players, including those who have big roles will remain in the team.
Cortes said that only Kenneth Brillo, a transferee from the USC Warriors, will graduate from his roster.
“Hopefully intact pa ang first 12, pero depende gyud. In God’s will kung asa mi niya dad-on, maningkamot ra gyud ko sa team para ma guide nako sila not just in basketball but also academically,” Cortes added.
Cortes also paid his respects to the gutsy Webmasters of head coach Kernn Sesante for a hard-fought finals series.
“Ang UC, they’re a fighter team. It just so happens nga wala lang jud nangigo ilahang mga itsa sa Game 3, mao nang ni take advantage mi. At least man lang naka inat mi nila pag third hangtod nadaog gyud namo,” Cortes said.
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