UV Green Lancers to start title hunt vs.Bicol champs

Five-time Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI) champion University of the Visayas Green Lancers aim to make an impressive debut as they clash with Bicol's University of Nueva Caceres today at the start of the Philippine Basketball Federation, Inc. (PBFI) National Students Championship at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum in Manila.

Gametime is set at 4 pm.

It will be a historic return for the UV Lancers at the Rizal Coliseum as it is the same place where they won two championships. Curiously, UV was led by the Cabahugs in those occasions.

To recall, the first time the Lancers won in that venue was in 1957, with the late Eduardo "Skipper" Cabahug leading the charge.

In 1981, current UV head coach Elmer "Boy" Cabahug, son of Eduardo, led the UV Baby Lancers to another championship.

If history repeats itself, then that is a tedious task to bear for Cabahug.

Although he brings along with him his arsenals who helped him win an unprecedented five CESAFI titles, Cabahug is not underminding UNC because they have to play five games each, with the top two teams advancing into the quarterfinals.

The UNC also contributed a part of history for UV because it was the host when the Lancers won the National Inter-Collegiate crown against the Jay Ramirez-led Arellano University Flaming Arrows.

The Lancers then was skippered by Anthony Mendoza with Cabahug, Al Solis and former champion coach Jerry Aratan among the key players.

The most probable stumbling block for UV in this first PBFI national caging is reigning UAAP champion Far Eastern University Tamaraws.

Cabahug said that Letran College and Philippine Christian University are also serious threats in their title bid.

The Lancers are bannered by some of their reliable starters including CESAFI MVP Mark Ababon, Jayford Rodriguez, Ariel Mepaña, Randy Sevilla, Jezar Esperat and Vergel Abelong, among others.

Meanwhile, the UV Baby Lancers are scheduled to plunge into action tomorrow yet according to coach Jun Pepito. The Baby Lancers are bracketed with San Sebastian and San Beda College.