Green Lancers leave for CCL

Defending CESAFI champion the University of the Visayas Green Lancers leave for Manila on November 14 to compete in the 5th Collegiate Champion’s League.

Sixteen top collegiate teams in the country will participate in the knockout competition where the losers go home.

The teams were divided into four groups. The Green Lancers are in Group A and had drawn wild card entry Lyceum of the Philippines for its first game.

Should they win, the Green Lancers will go up against reigning UAAP champion De La Salle University.

Coach Elmer “Boy” Cabahug, in an interview with The Freeman, said that he told his wards to give their best because of the knockout format of the tournament.

“Dili bakasyon ang ila adto-an so dapat mopakita gyud sila,” (“They are not going on vacation, so they must play hard.”) Cabahug said.

Cabahug hopes to erase the stigma of his team’s unforgettable stint last year when Sam Ekwe-led San Beda College booted them out early.

To prepare his wards, Cabahug had his team play in local tournaments like the Mayor’s Cup in Lapu-Lapu, where they won the crown.

Cabahug also said that unlike last year when they were outrebounded by other teams, this time it would be different.

The presence of 6’11 Fil-Am giant Gregory Fuentes Slaughter, the seasoned Ariel Mepaña along with bangers Michael Luga and Rino Berami in the lineup will be more than enough for UV to control the paint.

“Last year, we were out rebounded. We had a small line-up, Mepaña was not around because of injury, so wa gyud ta kasugakod (“so were unable to cope.”). This year, we have a taller line-up so I hope that we will do better,” coach Cabahug said.

Cabahug also said that for them to succeed this year, his players must follow his instructions to the letter because they will be playing with only two legitimate pointguards in Von Harry Lanete and Chris Victor Diputado during the tournament.

The coach also said that unlike in Cebu where they are the crowd favorite, the fans in Manila would be unfriendly, too noisy and boisterous, matter of fact, that last year he and his players could barely hear each other in the court. 

He expects the same this year, so Cabahug devised a plan for his players to understand his instructions better.

“Grabe kaayo ang crowd sa Manila. Puwerte pa gyud ka banha, di na mi magdungog gani. Ako na gi-practice ang mga players nato to respond well to sign language.” (“The crowd in Manila was unfriendly. They were so noisy that my players and me could not hear each other. So I have practiced the players to respond well to sign language.”) Cabahug said.

The winner of the tournament will bring home the bragging rights of being the best collegiate team in the country. The team will also go home with funding/scholarship money amounting to P500,000 for the benefit of the school’s sporting program.

The runner-up, third placer and fourth placer will receive P200,000, P100,000 and P50,000, respectively.

Special awards will also be given to outstanding individual and team performances during the tournament such as the MVP, Members of the Mythical teams (Team A and Team B), Best Defensive Team, Coach of the Series and Best Performing Referee.

Last year’s winners were the University of the East, San Beda, Jose Rizal University and Mapua Institute of Technology.

Cabahug said that after the CCL, his team would immediately see action in the VAAA.