UV Green Lancers to relive good old days in Grand Reunion today

Basketball players who have had donned the jersey of the University of the Visayas (UV) Green Lancers will once again walk down memory lane in a Grand Reunion on Tuesday, January 23, not only to reminisce their good old days and reconnect with long lost friends but also to honor and pay homage to the Visayanian hardcourt legends.

The Hawaii-based Terry Bolo, a retired officer of the elite United States (US) Army, first spearheaded the event in 2019. He’s part of the UV Lancers that bagged two National Inter-Collegiate Championship titles within three years, first in 1974 when they beat the La Salle Green Archers and then in 1976 when they vanquished the University of the East (UE) Red Warriors.

Under the guidance of coach Judy Violango, among Bolo’s teammates at that time include Danny Duran, Paul Velasco, Hermes Sumalinog, Melecio Seno, and Delfin “Jun” Pepito.

Bolo said they will kick-start their purposeful activity by paying tribute to the late Jose “Dodong” R. Gullas, who was not only a champion player, coach, and team manager but also a father figure and role model for all UV Lancers.

They are set to light candles, offer flowers, and say prayers at the graveyard of Dodong Gullas inside the motherhouse compound of the Daughters of Sta. Teresa in Barangay Valladolid, Carcar City.

They will then head back to Naga City for the program set to begin at 9 a.m. at the residence of vice mayor Virgilio “Jingjing” Chiong, a former Baby Lancer and current president of the UV Green Lancers Alumni Association.

During the special get-together to be graced by Talisay City Mayor

Samsam Gullas, the alumni’s adviser, the UV basketball greats who became members of the Philippine team and

PBA players were will be formally honored.

Coaches and assistant coaches who have won a crown from the Cebu Amateur Athletic Association (CAAA) era until the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI) as well as in the National Inter-Collegiate Championships will also be given recognition. To continue with their charity work, the Green Lancers will make a voluntary donation for their brothers who are in dire need of help as well as to save the lives of their less fortunate batchmates.

With this, Bolo is calling on all Lancers of the past and present to lend a hand to the needy ones in whatever way possible to make their activity more meaningful. *