After regaining their CESAFI crown in grand fashion, the University of Visayas Baby Lancers are bringing their act to a bigger stage.
For sweeping past defending champions Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu (SHS-AdC) Magis Eagles in the finals of the Visayas’ premier league, the Baby Lancers have been invited to take part in the PSSBC Dickies Underwear Cup starting on Dec. 16.
“This will be the first time that a team from Visayas will be competing in our own version of Battle of Champions,” said PSSBC chair Rudy Yu of Dickies Underwear. “Their presence adds prestige to the tournament.”
UV, which produced several sporting greats, including Gabriel “The Flash” Elorde and Lauro “The Fox” Mumar and Manny Paner, will be up against former champions Hope Christian High School and Chiang Kai Shek College from Fil-Chinese Amateur Athletic Federation and San Beda College of NCAA.
The team will be bannered by league MVP and point guard Beirn Anthony Laurente, Froiland Maglasang and Justin Jake Rosete.
“They have a winning tradition so we believe the Baby Lancer are up to the challenge,” said vice chair Terry Que of Rain or Shine.
Also sponsoring the event are Hapee Toothpaste’s Dr. Cecilio Pedro, Blackwater’s Dioceldo Sy, Jumbo Plastic Linoleum’s Jimmy dela Cruz, Ironcon Builders’ Jimi Lim, MEC Networks’ Leoncio Chua and Freego’s Eduard Tio.
Meantime, event manager Edster Sy announced that the coaches meeting will be held tomorrow at newly-opened Sha Tin Courtyard Restaurant in Quezon City.
Also taking part in the week-long event are reigning UAAP champion Far Eastern University, former NCAA champion Mapua, National University, Ateneo, University of Santo Tomas, Letran and Manila Patriotic School.