No heart, no chance

CEBU, Philippines - No heart, no chance.

This has been the guiding light that illuminated University of Cebu's way towards a second straight finals appearance in the juniors division of the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. men's basketball tournament.

Just one look at their relatively smaller lineup, perhaps no one would believe that the Junior Webmasters are a legitimate championship contender.

However, what they lack in height they gamely make up with their big fighting hearts and high-octane play all throughout the game that earned them a certain measure of respect from their rivals.

As they continue their journey towards achieving a breakthrough title, a familiar foe is standing in their way  - the three-time defending champions Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu Magis Eagles.

And UC head coach Joever 'Brad' O. Samonte has nothing but words of respect for their mighty rivals, who themselves are in pursuit of a historic grandslam feat and fourth straight crown overall since 2012.

 "Ateneo is a very strong team due to their three-time exposure  to championship. Also, their players are bigger than mine," said Samonte, the only member of his batch at the University of San Jose-Recoletos high school varsity to have immediately played in college alongside the already established Jaguars stars Roger Yap, James Relampagos, Dennis Daa and Ranulfo Abo way back in 1998 when the CESAFI was still known as the Cebu Amateur Athletic Association.

"I'm just proud to say that my players may be shorter in height, but they all have big fighting hearts."

  True enough, the Junior Webmasters always rise above the every  challenge they are confronted with this season.

They eliminated the rejuvenated Don Bosco Technology Center Greywolves and takes pride for being the only team to defeat the formidable Magis Eagles not just once, but twice this season.

Last year, they also dealt the Magis Eagles their first and only loss in 15 games. They pulled it off in the opener of their best-of-three finals although Ateneo went on to sweep the next two games to defend their throne for the third time in a row.

On account of their strong showing in their previous two meetings, the Junior Webmasters have somehow become a hard puzzle that the Rommel Rasmo-mentored Magis Eagles have to analyze and solve.

As they rekindle their rivalry with the Magis Eagles in the best-of-three finals starting Friday, the 36-year-old Samonte said he will not take things in stride nor let their past winnings sink in the heads of his players as they take another shot at history.

  "It's a completely different thing in the final. Everything is back to scratch. We realize that," said Sabang, Danao City-native bench strategist. "My goal is to win the first game and take one game at a time and hopefully bag the championship trophy."

  Beating the Magis Eagles, a powerful unit that thrashed their other foes with an average winning margin of 20-plus points, is truly a daunting mission for the Junior Webmasters.

But Samonte and his gang are dead ready for the harrowing mission ahead.

"We will give them a clean, fair fight," said Samonte. "Offense wins game but defense wins championship. That's our motto.No heart, no chance."The road may be tough but with that guiding principle, Samonte looks forward with fervent hopes in his heart that they will be able to fulfill what they all have been dreaming of. (FREEMAN)