Game today
Cebu Coliseum
5:00 p.m.- Worthy-UV vs. Mighty Sports-USJ-R
THE Worthy-University of the Visayas (UV) Green Lancers try to close out the Mighty Sports-University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) Jaguars when the two teams tangle in Game 2 of the 8th Cesafi Partner’s Cup finals today at the Cebu Coliseum.
Game time is slated at 5:00 p.m. with the Lancers seeking for a repeat of their 80-67 victory in Game 1 which put them a win away from taking the championship in this best-of-three affair.
While many expected the Lancers to lose a step following the departure of their two best players—Jun Manzo and Leonard Santillan—to the University of the Philippines, that has not been the case as both rookies and veterans have stepped up to fill the gap left by the duo.
According to team captain, Josue Segumpan, the team members have embraced their individual roles on the team and are very receptive to the instructions of both coaches and veterans alike.
“I like the team we have now because they are all willing to sacrifice for the team. Even though we have a lot of rookies on this team, I can really see their willingness to play team ball. They respect me as the team captain and they respect all our coaches,” said Segumpan.
“Everyone follows the system that our coaches have put in place. Everyone plays the same way inside the court, because if we see that the rookies are in there playing their hearts out, then so should the veterans,” added the Bacolod-bred sniper who has played very well during the preseason after barely seeing action last year.
One of the players who have risen up the ranks despite being a greenhorn is shooter Tristan Albina, who has led the team in scoring in two straight outings. Rey Suerte, Sheldon Gahi, Segumpan, and Liberian reinforcement Bassiere Sackor have also played solid ball for a Lancers squad that have lost only once in this preseason competition.
On the other side of the fence, the Jaguars must find ways to stop the UV juggernaut early, something they weren’t able to do in Game 1 as they fell 9-23 in the first period and never really found their groove afterwards.