UV presents squad for Universiade

THE University of the Visayas Green Lancers are hoping they could find the right chemistry for the 27th Universiade in Kazan, Russia.

The Russia-bound Lancers were presented yesterday by the Federation of School Sports Association of the Philippines (Fessap) Executive Director Henry Liao during the press conference at the UV President’s Office.

Congressman-elect and UV team manager Gerald Anthony “Sam-Sam” Gullas, head coach Felix “Donbel” Belano Jr. and his assistant Van Halen Parmis presented the 10-man squad that will be competing in the basketball event of the biennial games for university athletes.

“It is always an honor for UV to represent the country in the Universiade. It is our thrust to carry the national colors before anything else. The experience that our players will get from the Universiade is priceless,” Gullas said.

UV (Philippines) is in Pool B with defending champion Serbia, Romania, Mexico, Japan and Mongolia.

“We know lisod kaayo ang competition didto. But the exposure that the team will get (in Universiade) is very useful for the tournaments to come,” Belano added.

They will be led by reigning Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. Rookie of the Year and Most Valuable Player Hernal “Wowie” Escosio, his National Students Basket- ball Championship co-MVP John Abad, team captain Cris Perolino, Raffy Octobre, Angelo Babia, Vincent Mendoza, Arvie Cabañero and rookie players Mico Adam Marquez, Alfred Codilla and Christian Fajardo.

According to Liao, Fessap will be sending 70 athletes, coaches and officials to Kazan. Two table tennis players from the University of Cebu will also be in the team.

Val Stephen Jaca, an 18-year-old mechanical engineering student, and Jerny Kaye Pepito, another 18-year old civil engineering student, got their ticket to Kazan after topping the Table Tennis Association of the Philippines National Open championship last year.