Lion Tiger-UV starts titular showdown against arch-nemesis Gaisano Capital-UC

Games today:

Cebu Coliseum

5 p.m. – Rose Aquarius vs. San Marino

6:30 p.m. – Lion Tiger vs. Gaisano Capital

Cebu’s most powerful collegiate basketball programs clash once more as the Gaisano Capital-University of Cebu (UC) Webmasters and the Lion Tiger Aerosols-University of the Visayas (UV) Green Lancers start the best-of-five championship series in the 5th Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. (CESAFI) today at the Cebu Coliseum.

The two protagonists have been going at it for the better part of a year already, dating back to their momentous meeting in the Cesafi finals last year.

The Webmasters emerged triumphant in that best-of-five affair, winning the series, 3-1. That ended the nine-year dynasty of the Green Lancers and in the process sent the once-invincible aura of UV to oblivion.

But the Green Lancers have managed to bounce back with a new head coach in former professional player Felix Belano.

In spite of the absence of two key cogs from last year’s dynamic squad, Ralf Olivares and Eman Calo, UV has managed to make the finals in the Partners Cup.

The Webmasters, with prized 6-foot-10 center Junemar Fajardo, still have their rival’s number this season, winning over them twice in three matches in this competition.

The battle for third place will also commence today at 5 p.m. with the surprising Rose Aquarius-University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF) Panthers taking on the San Marino Corned Tuna-Southwestern University (SWU) Cobras.