The match-up that the Cebu basketball scene has been waiting for will finally come to fruition today as the reigning champions, University of Cebu Webmasters take on their bitter rivals, University of the Visayas Green Lancers in round one of two expected meetings between the two hoops powerhouses, in the seniors division of the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. (CESAFI) basketball tournament at the Cebu Coliseum.
The Webmasters stoked the embers of the fire further last year as they stopped the nine-year dynasty of the Lancers dead in its tracks by winning the best-of-five finals series, 3-1.
However, the Lancers, under the tutelage of new head coach Felix Belano, gained some measure of revenge against their arch-rivals early this year as they swept the Webmasters, 3-0, in the finals series of the Cesafi Partner’s Cup.
Fast forward to this season and the two teams are once again ahead in the standings with UC being the lone undefeated squad in the tournament. UC is currently at the top of the league with an unblemished 3-0 (win-loss) record, spiked by their impressive, 76-72, win over Southwestern University (SWU) last Thursday. UV, in the meantime, is at 3-1 and is coming off a disheartening loss to the same Cobras.
UC’s prized 6-foot-10 slotman Junemar Fajardo, will once again be the center of attention as he carries the scoring cudgels of the Webmasters. However, he is expected to meet some stiff opposition from the Lancer big men, Edrian Lao and Andrew Avillanoza, in particular.
The battle of the guards will just be as intriguing with UC being led by former UV Baby Lancer, Brian Heruela, Luigi Bercede and Robinson Mohammad. UV will be spearheaded by crafty veterans John Abad, Harold Cincoflores and Phil Mercader.
