Warriors eye final slot versus UC in CESAFI

The University of San Carlos (USC) Warriors will try to make history as they vie for a final slot against the University of Cebu (UC) Webmasters in the collegiate division of the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI) basketball event at the Cebu Coliseum.

In the main match, topseed University of the Visayas (UV) Green Lancers again shoot for another finals berth against the University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) Jaguars.

The Warriors never advanced to the CESAFI finals in their five-year campaign and the last time they were in, which they lost to UV, was in 1971 during the CAAA under the leadership of four-time PBA MVP Ramon "El Presidente" Fernandez.

Having the twice-to-beat advantage, the Warriors could finish the job via a short route with a victory tonight hoping for a repeat of their 95-87 conquest of the Webmasters last August 12.

They made it as the second qualifier also for the first time in CESAFI after beating the Jaguars last August 21 in the final match of the elimination round.

On the other hand, it will be an uphill climb for the Webmasters in their route to the finals but their only advantage against the Warriors is their championship experience.

They will again be banking on the Big Three namely Allain Abellanosa, Jared Kane Abatayo and Jonathan Canceran,, who helped steer UC, whose last CAAA title was in 1998, to the finals battle against UV.

The Webmasters also have the crowd in tonight's contest because Cebu Coliseum is their homecourt.

The others to rely on are Christian Rez, Janssen Abella, Marvin Ceniza, Elizaldy Mamalias and Micheal Estenzo.

The Warriors have also will be relying on the trio of Enrico Llanto, Niño Ramirez and Vernini Tangarorang, who will join hands with ex-USP Panther Arletroy Mercader, Ryan Carlo Padayao, Johmel Igao and Ahmann James Tagalog.

Meanwhile, the 6-0 and five-time champion Green Lancers eye to advance into the finals as they seek a repeat of their 92-88 win over the Jaguars.

The Lancers will lean on Rino Berame, Morsie Akad, Jayford Rodriguez, Jaysar Esperat, Eduardo Arda and Von Harry Lanete.

The Jaguars, on the other hand, hope to draw excellent game from Ariel Lozano, Luther Justiniani, Randy Pogoy, Ranulfo Malinao, Manny Gabas, Armand Pone, Lyndon Gudez, Bobby Hatague and Jessmar Villahermosa.