University of Cebu goes for clincher tonight

CEBU, Philippines – Fresh from a lopsided 81-61 win in last Sunday's Game 3 that gave them a 2-1 series lead, the University of Cebu (UC) Webmasters are poised to finish off the titular battle tonight when they take on nine-time champion University of the Visayas (UV) Green Lancers in Game 4 of the 10th Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI) basketball finals at the Cebu Coliseum.

The intimidating presence of undergoal terror Junemar Fajardo made the rest of the Webmasters as offensive threats because it appeared no one from the Lancers' camp can neutralize Fajardo.

Fajardo needed only to position himself up at the post and get a good entry pass down low for a sure bucket. He had 32 points in their Game 3 victory aside from two blocks.

Edward Pao was an added boost to the Webmasters' starting unit as he can draw defense from the outside and then let Fajardo clean up the mess by lording it over both in offensive and defensive rebounds.

What makes the Webmasters' offense more confusing is the addition of their bulldozing guard Quinton Brian Heruela, who is a prized catch during the offseason.

This 5-foot-9, 200-pounder pointguard is eating up his counterparts everytime he dribbles strong to the hoop. Although he is not a consistent outside shooter, he has the touch from the free throw line that has always worked to UC's advantage everytime the Lancers enter into the penalty.

The rest such as Kelvin Juliane, Robinson Mohammad and Luigi Bercede are comfortable with their roles as contributors because they can easily control the rebound and recycle the offense.

Juliane cannot be taken for granted if he attempts from the outside because he is the CESAFI three-point king, Mohammad is a licensed shooter, while Bercede has quick hands aside from being a pesky defender.  

Former UV star center Gregory Slaughter witnessed the games over the weekend when the Lancers split their games with a win last Saturday and a big loss last Sunday but already left for Manila yesterday.

The Lancers maybe down by one game but not definitely out as they could still hope to win tonight to tie the series and forge a rubbermatch. (FREEMAN)