GREEN Lancers both young and old will converge at the University of the Visayas gym today as they play in a charity exhibition game in preparation for the upcoming basketball wars of the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. (CESAFI), which opens this Sunday at the Cebu Coliseum.
The Lancers are again hungry for the crown after seeing their nine-year title run snapped by the University of Cebu Webmasters last season. They took a step in the right direction this summer by winning the Cesafi Partner’s Cup crown under new head coach Felix Belano.
Four new players will be donning the proud green-and-white jersey this year in Raffy Octobre, Vincent Mendoza, Arvie Cabanero and Wowie Cadir. They will be joining a loaded squad headed by veterans Felix Belano, Edrian Lao, Harold Cincoflores and Andrew Avillanoza.
However, the collegiate squad will be in for a rough time against a squad composed of former Green Lancers, who have made names for themselves in the upper levels of basketball, including the PBA. These are current M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala-Cebu Niños Stephen Padilla, Jayford Rodriguez, Mark Ababon, Ariel Mepana and Bruce Dacia.
Joining them are Morsie Akad, Rino Berame, Ronald Bucao, Ronald Maglasang, Aldrin Ocanada, Randy Sevilla and Randy dela Pisa. Several current pros will also be seeing action in today’s game.
The UV Baby Lancers squad will also have their tune-up game against the UC Baby Webmasters at 3:30 p.m. Tickets are pegged at P10. /Correspondent Jonas Panerio