JAGUARS, LANCERS EYE GAME 1 WIN

USJ-R Jaguars go for all-import win in opening game of Cesafi college finals

College basketball fans are expected to troop to the Cebu Coliseum today when the two-time defending champion University of the Visayas (UV) takes on the University of San Jose-Recoletos in Game 1 of the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. college finals.

Both teams have expressed readiness to take on each other in the finals. The Lancers will be leaning on their heart and championship experience while the Jaguars will be banking on the team’s high moral.

“Salig ra gyud mi sa among hearts of champions,” said Green Lancers coach Gary Cortes. “We don’t have major adjustments in our preparations, we will just play the way we’ve always played.”

Cortes said that despite being the two-time champion, they are the underdogs in the tournament.

“We are contented that we reached the finals despite the hassles we went through this year. But if we win the championship, we will consider that as a bonus,” said Cortes, who is seeking a grand slam this year.

The Jaguars are the biggest stumbling block to a UV grand slam as the team is on a high after returning to the finals for the first time in a decade. The team also finished the elimination round at No. 1

“We are ready but we have to level up our game because the championship is a different level,” said rookie coach Leodie Garcia. “Whatever we have shown in the elimination round, we need to level up.”

Garcia said that despite USJ-R having its own gym, they rented the Cebu Coliseum to practice for the finals.

“It is important to really familiarize yourself with the court,” said Garcia.

The Jaguars, which last won the college title in 1993, will be banking on RJ Dinolan, Fletcher Galvez, Miguel Gastador, John Ubalde, Ricky Peromingan, import Tochukwu Ewenike and reigning MVP Jaybie Mantilla.

On the other hand, the Green Lancers will bank on Gileant Delator, Josue Segumpan, import Bassieru Sackor, Jancork Cabahug, Michael Maestre and former MVP Rey Suerte.

During the first round, the Jaguars routed the Green Lancers, 89-73, but UV got even during the second round, 84-83.

In the first game, the University of Cebu Webmasters will take on the University of San Carlos in the battle for third place. /