CEBU CITY — A different cheer squad came to support University of the Visayas Green in their game against University of San Carlos Warriors on Thursday night.
Thirty residents of Gasa sa Gugma-Home for the Dying Destitutes, a home for the aged, dying and abandoned, made the trip to the Cebu Coliseum to give their support to the Green Lancers, who just days before paid them a visit to cheer them up and lift their spirits.
The Lancers, with head coach Gary Cortes and assistant Van Halen Parmis visited the nursing home last week, ate with and sang for the residents.
Inspired by the visit, several of the aged made requests to watch a Green Lancers game live and were able to do so when the latter took on the Warriors on Thursday. Even though some of the residents were already in wheelchairs, that did not deter them from getting on the bus and getting a front-row seat to all the action.
“It was a very close game. I was actually scared that the action might have been too much for them,” said Parmis.
“It was a really big night for them. You have to understand that these people spend all their days at that place. The plan was to leave the place at 6 p.m. and start heading out to the Cebu Coliseum. But when we got there at 5 p.m., all of them were all set to go!”
Though the Lancers fell, 75-79, they still came out winners in the eyes of their newfound fans. “When they were already getting on the bus, they told the Lancers that they were still champions in their hearts.”