UV goes for the tie

Game today:

Cebu Coliseum

5 p.m. – SWU vs. UV (Finals, Game 4)

After spoiling Southwestern University’s (SWU) party in Game Three, the University of the Visayas (UV) Green Lancers hopes to send this best-of-five finals series to a winner-take-all match as they battle a title-seeking Cobras squad in Game Four in the 13th Cesafi men’s basketball tournament today at the Cebu Coliseum.

Playing their gutsiest and most spirited game to date, the Lancers resuscitated their championship hopes with a stirring 89-82 double-overtime conquest of the Cobras in Game Four last Sunday.

The win was a huge morale-booster for UV as it was their first victory over its bitter rivals since Game Three of the finals series last year.

“With the win, we got our confidence level up one notch higher. The team morale is high but we will not be complacent. I still want to see my players execute our game plan from start to finish,” UV head coach Felix “Donbel” Belano said.

Though he was proud of his team’s efforts, Belano believes that they can still do better on their rebounding, their transition defense and their waterloo – free-throw shooting – after making just half of their 48 attempts in Game Three.

Meanwhile, it was back to the drawing board for the Cobras, who for the first time all season long, could be facing a debacle.

“Basketball is a game of adjustments so we have to make some adjustments come Game Four,” SWU coach Yayoy Alcoseba said.

Alcoseba once again reminded his team that UV won’t just roll over and give up. He emphasized the need to bolster both SWU’s mental aptitude and intestinal fortitude. “Again we have to be focus on our game plan. No heart, no chance,” added Alcoseba.