INQUIRER Global Nation

WILL fate give the mighty University of the Visayas Green Lancers their eighth straight title in the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. (Cesafi)? Or will destiny pounce on their depleted lineup and finally bring down the seven-time titlists to the land of mortals?

While the answers will be known two months from now, the league's different coaches readily install the Green Lancers as the team to beat with the tournament finally raising its curtains to its eighth season this Saturday at the Cebu Coliseum.

With a lineup replete of true big men following the losses of trusty pivots Rino Berame, Ariel Mepana and Mike Luga, pundits have labeled this season as the year that UV finally bites the dust.

However, coaches of the other participating teams refused to give in to the hype, as the Lancers got five of the eight votes in an informal survey held at the league's press conference yesterday afternoon at the Cebu Coliseum.

“They are still the team to beat. They are still the main targets of everybody playing in this tournament. Somebody has to be hungrier than them to dethrone them and become the champions,” said University of San Jose-Recoletos athletic director Dioscoro Himotas, whose Jaguars last year, battled the Lancers in a classic three-game semifinal series.

Cebu Institute of Technology head coach Alex dela Torre also concurred. “UV has become the benchmark of collegiate basketball here in the Visayas and possibly, the country. If you can beat UV, then you can beat anybody. Hopefully, we can find the formula to do this,” said dela Torre, whose Wildcats are parading a revamped lineup chockfull of rookies.

Two-time runners-up University of San Carlos represented by assistant coach Ryan Betia, the University of Cebu which was represented by assistant coach Caleb Gawangon and Southwestern University with head coach Dodi Miego also gave their nod to UV, as the team most likely to come away with the title this season.

Lancers head coach Elmer “Boy” Cabahug, whose wards came in full force for the gathering, said that in spite of their small lineup, they are still capable of defending the crown.

“As far as I'm concerned, we'll still be able to defend the title. We have weaknesses and that's why we've been playing in several pre-season tournaments so that we can identify these and compensate for them,” he said. /Correspondent Jonas Panerio