CEBU, Philippines – The University of the Visayas Green Lancers start a new life without Nigerian import Jeffakins Aguara and star forward Franz Arong as they take on the University of San Jose-Recoletos Jaguars in the opener of their best-of-three battle for third place in the collegiate division of the 14th Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. men's basketball tournament today at the Cebu Coliseum.
The Lancers and the Jaguars will clash at 6:45 p.m., right after the Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu Magis Eagles will take on the Cebu Institute of Technology-University Wildkittens at the start of the second round of the juniors division semifinals.
The Lancers will play without Aguara and Arong, who were suspended by UV team manager Gerald Anthony 'Samsam' Gullas for the rest of the season for their unsportsmanlike behavior in a disqualifying 61-67 loss to the University of San Carlos Warriors last September 13.
In the absence of Aguara and Arong, the likes of John Michael Abad, Rhaffy Oktubre, Chris Perolino, Alwin Aguirre, Leonard Santillan and Alfred Codilla are expected to step up as the Lancers hope to have at least a graceful exit of what had been a turbulent season for them.
On the Jaguars' side, they will rely on awesome foursome of James Regalado, Kevin Villafranca, Mark Labares, and Raymond Catipay to back up their lone import Quentin Luzoladio.
In the preliminary match, the Magis Eagles are poised to improve their unbeaten 11-0 record against the lowly Wildkittens, who are smarting from three successive loss in the semis.
The Magis Eagles are highly unstoppable, much more that Janjan Jaboneta, their veteran squad leader, is sowing terror in the hardcourt - putting his defenders both shorter and taller under duress.
The good thing for the Ateneans is that they exert a huge team effort every game, with the likes of Joshua Sinclair, Joseph Mayol, Jose Piero Dominic Longa, Zachary Lance Eden Huang, Kevin Brian Johnon, Steven Co, Andrew Velasco and top pointguard Nino Araw-araw also contributing on both ends.
As usual, the Wildkittens are pinning their hopes on Justin Jules Langres, Jasper Berezo, Joshua Philip Manatad, Kevin Plaza and Jeroel Pedroza. (FREEMAN)