Lancers, Magis Eagles eye another historic feat

CEBU, Philippines — The University of the Visayas (UV) Green Lancers and the Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu (SHS-AdC) Magis Eagles will not only defend their thrones but also aim for another piece of history in the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc, (CESAFI) Season 26 basketball tournament set to kick off on August 29 at the Cebu Coliseum.

The Lancers start their bid for a rare five-peat in the college division as they take on the University of San Carlos (USC) Warriors on August 30.

In high school play, the Magis Eagles will begin their campaign for a record six straight titles on September 12 yet against the UV Baby Lancers.

The Lancers are seeking an unprecedented 10th finals appearance in a row under the guidance of coach Gary Cortes, who consistently made it to the championship round since taking  over UV’s coaching reins back in 2015.

Cortes and the Lancers won a Grand Slam from 2016 to 2018 and then racked up four straight crowns since the league’s comeback season in 2022 after the global pandemic.

With seven championship trophies under his belt, Cortes is now two titles away from aligning himself with Elmer “Boy” Cababug as the winningest collegiate coach in the 26-year history of Cebu’s premier inter-school athletic league.

Cabahug piloted the Lancers to a record-setting nine consecutive crowns from the league’s inception in 2001 until 2009.

In the juniors category, the Magis Eagles will try to extend their dominant reign to six years and grab their 10th title overall since their breakthrough triumph in 2012.

If successful, the Ateneo Hearters will etch their names into stone as the first high school team to pull off back-to-back Grand Slams.

Their coach Rommel Rasmo is also on a mission, hoping to cement his status as the most decorated bench strategist with nine crowns and counting.