Cabahug, Solis call shots for UV in Champions League

In 1983 in Naga City, a school team from Cebu, the University of Visayas Lancers, defeated a Manila team, Arellano University, for the National Inter-collegiate basketball title. Nine years later, two key members from that UV team – Elmer ‘Boy’ Cabahug and Alfonso ‘Alo’ Solis – are coming to Manila with the most recent edition of the UV Lancers to compete for the ultimate collegiate tournament this year – the Champions League 2002.

Cabahug will be coaching UV, with Solis as his lieutenant, when the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. goes up tomorrow against the Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers in the final day of elimination round which is supported by PLDT, San Miguel Corporation, Petron, Pagcor, Hapee and Adidas.

With two of the Philippine Basketball Association’s dealiest outside shooters combining to lead UV, the Lancers have been installed the decided favorites in the 3 p.m. encounter,

"We didn’t go all the way to Manila without being prepared for a hard fight," said Cabahug, who arrived with his team aboard a PAL flight yesterday noon and proceeded straight to practice.

"Sayang lang kung matatalo kami ng ganoon lang," he said.

A member of the UV Lancers from 1982-1986, Cabahug turned pro soon after and played at least eight seasons in the PBA before joining an MBA team in 1999.

"We are hoping for the best," said Cabahug, whose team beat University of San Jose-Recoletos, the school that produced Jojo Lastimosa, Dondon Ampalayo and Zaldy Realubit, among others, for the CESAFI championship.

The hometown crowd, Cabahug said, could favor coach Boy de Vera’s JRU team, but added he expects Visayan fans to arrive in droves to watch the game at the Makati Coliseum.

"Alam mo naman ang mga Bisaya. Pag nalaman nila na may team na galing sa kanila na lalaban, darating ang mga yan para sumuporta," said Cabahug, the 1989 PBA All-Star most valuable player.