Cebuanos Slaughter, Pogoy make UAAP debut today

Games today:

Araneta Coliseum

1 p.m. – FEU vs. La Salle

3 p.m. – Ateneo vs. Adamson

AFTER THE BATTLES in the boardroom has ended, the action shifts over to the hardcourt as season 74 of the UAAP kicks off today with a double-header featuring four contenders for the crown including the much- awaited debut of two Cebuanos on two different squads.

Former University of the Visayas standout and former Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. (CESAFI) MVP Greg Slaughter will be donning the Ateneo jersey as the three-time defending champions, Blue Eagles, kick off their campaign for a fourth straight crown against the dangerous Adamson Soaring Falcons.

Also, Roger Pogoy, the talented forward formerly of the University of Cebu program, will be seeing action for the Far Eastern University Tamaraws, who will be taking on the La Salle Green Archers. “I’m excited pero kulbaan jud ko,” said Pogoy in an interview yesterday as he was looking forward to playing in the big leagues for the very first time.

Pogoy will be joining a deep FEU roster coached also by a Cebuano in Bert Flores. Leading the team will be reigning MVP, RR Garcia along with Aldrech Ramos, JR Cawaling and the league’s best rookie last year, Terrence Romeo.

Slaughter, on the other hand, is no stranger to the big stage, having played for the Smart-Gilas Pilipinas before taking his star turn for the Blue Eagles. He promised his Cebuano supporters that he will do everything he can to do the city proud.

“Akong paningkamotan nga maayo akong duwa kay para man sad ni sa Cebu kay gikan gud ko diha. Ug kung unsa man akong nakat-unan sa basketball diha sa Cebu, ako pang paningkamutan na mapun-an diri sa Ateneo,” said Slaughter, who is expected to join forces with another rookie phenom in Kiefer Ravena.

Their opponent today, Adamson, boasts of a veteran crew driven to improve on their “Final Four” appearance last year.

Cebuano forward Jan Colina leads the squad along with Lester Alvarez and Alex Nuyles. /Correspondent Jonas Panerio