UV still confident of defending title sans Slaughter

CEBU, Philippines - Nothwithstanding the departure of dominant center Greg Slaughter, nine-time champion University of the Visayas (UV) Green Lancers are still brimming with confidence they can win another title - hopefully their 10th straight - in basketball event of the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI).

UV assistant coach Al Solis said during the press launch of CESAFI Season 10 yesterday at the Cebu Coliseum function room that except for the center position, they have no other disadvantages to their rivals.

Solis even said that from the top up to the fourth spot, they have bigger advantage no to mention their edge in terms of championship experience.

Solis, a former pro star, picked the University of Cebu (UC) as their probable rival in the finals because the Webmasters still have the 6-foot-9 beanpole Jun Mar Fajardo, who will be serving his last playing year in the league.

Under the theme "Power and Dominance," the new CESAFI season unveils its curtains on Saturday but the Lancers and the Webmasters will not meet until August 22 where they will headline a heavy four-game schedule.

For their part, UC coaching staff Caleb Gawangon said that the Webmasters may have so many rookies but they are better prepared this time than they were last year.

With Fajardo around, the Webmasters will have another shot at the prestigious crown. Last year, they were among the title favorites but were eliminated early.

During that time though, Gawangon said that they lacked endgame resiliency, adding that their team is a lot different this time around.

For his part, UC athletic director Bernard C. Ricablanca, Jr. said that a revamp is most likely if the Webmasters couldn't lift the champion's trophy this year.

Now on its 10th year, CESAFI is getting better and bigger. Several exciting sidelights will be infused in this Saturday's opening ceremony to really make CESAFI look like Cebu's premier collegiate league.

CESAFI marketing head Joevin Eusebio assured that in the kick-off bash, the public will be amazed of their production despite having only just a month of preparation. (FREEMAN)