(Off-season report Part 3)
With last year’s forgettable season already a thing of the past, the University of the Visayas Green Lancers are eager to start another glorious run anew and are now taking the steps needed to vault themselves back to the pinnacle of the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. (Cesafi) men’s basketball competition.
No less than the team’s affable and energetic team manager, Cebu First District Representative Gerald Anthony “Samsam” Gullas assured students, supporters, alumni and fans alike that last season’s debacle, one that saw teammates nearly come to blows in the middle of a semifinal match, will never happen again.
“I think with the proper coach and discipline, I’m pretty sure that won’t happen again. And from what I see and hear, camaraderie between the players and the coaches are stronger than ever before,” said Gullas in an exclusive interview with Cebu Daily News.
For others, getting third place might already be considered a feat worth celebrating. But for the Green Lancers, a team synonymous with success after winning the league’s first nine championships and providing the professional leagues with such players as JR Quinahan, Reed Juntilla, Stephen Padilla, Neil Raneses and Greg Slaughter, to name a few, third place just won’t do.
And with the squad’s current local core composed of Franz Arong, Leonard Santillan and Jun Manzo, Gullas believes they have what it takes to conquer the Cesafi summit once more.
“We’ve been recruiting players but I believe we will have the same core players. Young players must step up. Hopes are pinned on (Leonard) Santillan and (Jun) Manzo to improve dramatically,” stated Gullas of his two jocks that are set to inherit the mantle left by veterans John Abad and Chris Perolino.
Though some unknowns remain, such as who the head coach will be due to the indefinite suspension currently being served by Gary Cortes, Gullas left no doubt as to who their import will be: Steve Akomo.
“Steve (Akomo) is the import though. That’s the sure thing,” the young politician boldly stated after the failed experiment that was Jeffakins Aguara and Jean Mpouma last year.
With regard to the coach and the final roster, Gullas said that he will come to a decision after a consultation with his head of basketball operations, Jun Pepito, next month.