UV to go all out

The University of the Visayas (UV) Green Lancers vowed to give it their all when they embark on their first-ever international competition.

The multi-titled Lancers were chosen to represent the country in the upcoming 27th Summer Universiade slated July 6 to 17 in Kazan, Russia.

“It’s an honor for UV to represent not only the school, not only Cebu, but the whole nation in the Universiade. As much as possible, we will give our best to do well in the tournament,” said UV Lancers team manager Gerald Anthony “Samsam” Gullas Jr. in a press conference yesterday.

UV earned the trip to the prestigious tournament after it ruled the National Students Basketball Championship (NSBC) held last March in Bukidnon.

Before UV, another Cebu-based team represented the country in the Universiade as the University of Cebu (UC) Webmasters competed in the same event in China two years ago.

“We will do everything we can to make the country proud,” said Gullas, incoming Cebu first district congressman. “This will be an enriching experience for UV. It will not only be about winning but this will also allow the players to experience the culture of other countries and interact with other athletes.”

The biennial multi-sports event will have an estimated 13,500 athletes and officials from nearly 200 countries. The event will have 27 sports and 351 events.

The Philippines will participate in 11 sports. These are athletics, swimming, fencing, tennis, beach volleyball, table tennis, judo, badminton, chess, weightlifting and men’s basketball.

“This will be a very tough competition and UV might play two-time defending champion Serbia for its opening assignment,” said Henry Liao, executive director of Federation of School Sports Association of the Philippines (FESSAP). UV is grouped with Serbia, Romania, Mexico, Mongolia and Japan.

“We made sure that our country will be represented well that is why we designated UV knowing that it has the tradition of produicing top caliber players.”