This is for Lucky...

CEBU - “This one’s for Lucky. We won the title on October 8, 2008 and he wore jersey #8. It was meant to be,” was how Coach Cabahug described it.

Coach Cabahug is referring to Lucky Pitogo, one of his promising players shot dead last year in Consolacion by still unknown killers. “We lighted a candle for him this morning and dedicated this game to him,” added Cabahug.

Despite the allusion to luck and numerology, this eighth championship, in as many years, was a product of perseverance and hard work.

For three quarters, UV was trailing USJ-R, who bless their hearts, gave the Lancers a big scare as Gudez, Ponce and made eight triples in the first half alone!

It took a big fourth quarter scoring spree from Harold Cincoflores, who strung up six points in a row to give UV some elbowroom. Before that, it was all USJ-R.

While Cincoflores was pouring the points, Greg Slaughter neutralized the Jaguars by pulling down 19 big rebounds. Those rebounds were the difference. With Slaughter ready to swat their shots in the paint, the Jaguars had to shoot from the outside, and when they missed, the big man capped the rebound that triggered UV’s offense.

Slaughter had 16 points to match those rebounds to key the pulsating 63-58 triumph and bagged the MVP finals trophy. Earlier, he won the regular season MVP plum.

The other factor for the UV’s triumph was defense. I asked Assistant Coach Al Solis about the changes they made in the second half to neutralize USJ-R’s shooters. “We switched to a match-up 1-3-1 in the second half because the trapping 1-3-1 was not working. Their shooters were beating us so we have to adjust our defense,” he explained.

Eight down, and I don’t know how many more to go to be honest. Only one thing is certain. It’ll be more difficult next season especially that Lanete, Tagalog and another player graduating.

Coach Cabahug, however, said that he’s looking at Cabañero and many other junior players to fill the void. That is looking too far ahead. Let’s give Coach Cabahug and his Lancers the time to enjoy a well-deserved triumph.

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The “Run to the Max” 10-mile race dubbed as the 2nd Holiday Gym and Spa Health Run this Sunday will be a battle royale among champions. From the grapevine, I heard that former Milo champions Cresencio Sabal and Ailyn Tolentino would be competing.

Then there’s Elmer Bartolo, who has won two of the last three races he has joined here in Cebu. The other contenders are Mendel Lopez, Eugene and Joel Delposo and Philip Duenas. In the women’s division, Lezl Gitaruelas, Madelyn Carter, Cathy Fisher and Marlita Arias are up to the challenge. This will be a big chance for me to see these runners up close and personal and find out who’ll come out the winners.

I’ll be running my first 10-miler (16K) together with Mark Almadrones – my running buddy during our noon time jog at IT Park. I’ll probably ask Mark to leave me and have a go for it as I maybe slowing him down. It would be cool to find out if Mark could run with these champions!

See you at the starting line guys!

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