New coach, new hope for USC Baby Warriors

CEBU, Philippines - Under a new coach and a revitalized lineup, the University of San Carlos (USC) Baby Warriors are highly optimistic of a decent showing in the 13th Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI) season set to unwrap on August 3 at the Cebu Coliseum.

The Baby Warriors have dwelt on their 'underdog" tag for several years already, but the arrival of decorated Cebuano coach Britt Reroma in their fold has somehow brought a ray of hope to the young Carolinians whose present roster brings a lot of promise.

Reroma's entry to the USC community came as a big surprise, much more on how quick he transformed the Baby Warriors into a legitimate title contender. They manifested that by winning a lot of tune-up games, including an 85-82 decision over the University of the Visayas (UV) Baby Lancers three weeks ago in Sibonga south of Cebu.

The Baby Warriors now seek to to prove that their win over the Baby Lancers was no fluke then they clash anew in the season-opening match this Saturday afternoon.

He maybe new to the local hoop scene, but Reroma carries with him a shining credential that could earn him the respect of his fellow coaches.

Reroma's passion for basketball and his effective basketball program catapulted him into one of the best high school coaches in the NCAA where he swept three Coach of the Year awards. Steering the San Beda Red Cubs into a grandslam feat is also something he can brag about.

Reroma's return to Cebu immediately spread out and when USC learned he is interested to take the coaching rends, he was grabbed by the Warriors like a parent pulling a balloon during a children's party.

USC Paserelle coach Galimar Largo said they never wasted time in hiring Reroma as coach, believing that their dream of becoming a champion team in the future will not take too long under his tutelage.

The Baby Warriors have been called 'whipping boys' ever since, but one could not tell it this time to Reroma's current lineup.

Even if they lack in experience, they have the guts and strong determination to win. More importantly, Reroma is ready to rise above the challenge.

When pressed on his outlook this season where they are pitted with some of the battle-tested teams with a championship pedigree, Reroma answered boldly: "We have a good chance this year. We will work and prepare hard every game. Our goal is to give USC its first title in the CESAFI. Hopefully, this will be the year of the USC Baby Warriors."

Like any other coaches, Reroma is not calling the shots for the Baby Warriors without a purpose and that is for them to become champions at season's end.

One of the brightest prospects for Reroma to achieve their goal is the presence of the vastly improved Scott Aying, who is blessed with a good shooting hands like his father Danny Aying. They have also young and talented Galinato brothers in Paul and John, who are also streak-shooters like their father Abe Galinato.

Interestingly, Reroma last played at the Cebu Coliseum in 1994 when he was the pointguard of the Don Bosco Greywolves in the Milo-BEST SBP Paserelle finals coincidentally against San Beda. In 1994 until 1997, he played for Red Cubs and became Red Lion from 1997 up to 2001.

A former King Lion himself, Reroma will be back at the Coliseum, this time as a coach. He will have a pool of young generation coaches to assist him at their bench in Bon Rosito, Ope Abellana, Abe Galinato, Jed Cabellon, Gab Najarro, Vernini Tangarorang, Jigjig Lascuna and former USC Warrior Sesum Asignar, who also acts as their trainer.

Reroma's consultant is former Don Bosco coach Hermes Sumalinog, a champion UV Lancer during his prime who was also his mentor in the commercial league when he played for Hapee toothpaste in the now defunct Cebu Basketball Federation (CBF).  

The Baby Warriors' dream to become champions may not take too long and this season could be the right path for them to eventually wear the crown. (FREEMAN)