Baby Warriors & Baby Dragons: Hoping to make it big in 2015

With the traditional powerhouse squads of the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. (Cesafi) standing on shaky ground due to changes in their respective rosters, two squads are gunning to  sieging the throne when the new season opens on August 2 at the Cebu Coliseum.

One of those teams is the University of San Carlos Baby Warriors, who are aiming to end a 14-year title drought with a roster teeming with potential and behind a mentor full of championship experience in many-time NCAA champion head coach Britt Reroma.

Reroma, who is also the USC Warriors’ head coach, finds himself on familiar ground as mentor to a talented group of kids – a job he masterfully handled during his time with the San Beda Red Cubs whom he led to three NCAA titles before stepping down in 2013. He also coached the Baby Warriors that very same year but the Cesafi tournament got shelved because of legal issues.

Now back at the helm of USC’s high school team, Reroma has high hopes for this batch with five returning players.

“Experience is a big factor if you want to be successful especially in the Cesafi so I’m happy that I have five players coming back from last year’s team,” shared the former Don Bosco standout.

Leadership in the backcourt is expected to be handled by ace guards Jhollo Pakanna and Neon Chavez while the middle will be anchored by the hulking Briedyyn Smith, whose game has improved by leaps and bounds.

With the two-time defending champions Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu Magis Eagles losing their most potent weapon, Joshua Sinclair, due to eligibility issues, and the University of the Visayas Baby Lancers expected to become a one-man show with just Jancork Cabahug coming back from last season’s second-place winning squad, Reroma feels that the title is theirs for the taking.

“While you really can’t discount Ateneo de Cebu and UV, I just feel that this season has a more level playing field which means we really have a great chance of winning it all. The key lang is to be consistent in our efforts on both ends of the floor.”

FIERY BABY DRAGONS
Cebu Eastern College Dragons head coach Rodmark del Rosario shares the same sentiment as Reroma as he seeks to bring his team back to the promised land after missing out on the semifinals last year. The Dragons won it all in 2010, an unforgettable season that saw them go from zeros to heroes in just a year. However, the Dragons have yet to recapture the magic of that year.

But that is about to change, says del Rosario.

“Last year, down jud to siya na season because wala kaayo tay recruits. But this year, I think dako mi ug chance na makaabot sa finals,” declared the youthful mentor.

“I think na we’re 80% there especially sa depensa. Sa big men, wala mi problema kay naa mi mga recruits and nakabalik na sad si (James Mark) Roa sa amoa. Pero diri sa backcourt, medyo kailangan mi ug tabang kay di makaduwa tong among recruit from Cagayan de Oro. Sayang kaayo kay 6’2 unta to siya na wingman pero wala man niya nakuha iya credentials gud.”

Expected to breath fire for the Dragons are Anfernee Roa, James Tempra, Ryan Tecson and Miguel Orillaneda.