CEBU CITY — University of the Visayas team owner and manager Gerald Anthony Gullas is grateful for the players for staying with the Green Lancers despite the huge challenges on the road to the Cesafi championship.
After early injury problems and major changes to the program that included budget cuts, Gullas says the title triumph over University of San Jose-Recoletos ranks right at the very top.
“Definitely No. 1. We’ve done many changes in our athletic program this year, so it was a very difficult change,” said Gullas.
“This year we focused not only on basketball but to give equal help to all our sport teams. The basketball team clearly had a budget cut to compensate, but I thank all my players and coaches for sticking it with us from day one. Through all the difficulties, they never left UV,” said Gullas.
It had been a rough ride for the Green Lancers, which lost several key players to injuries before the season started.
“It was a very rough season. To losing Lass (Coulibally) and Sheldon (Gahi), to having two losses to start the year, but my boys and our coaches, like the champions they are, regained composure and won it all in the end,” proudly declared Gullas.
UV now prepares for the next campaign without MVP Rey Suerte, who is set to chase his dreams of playing pro ball. Gullas had nothing but praise for the 24-year old who helped push the Green Lancers to three straight titles.
“Rey Suerte is a once in a lifetime player. He could have easily dominated Manila leagues. But he chose to stay with UV and we will forever be grateful. I have no doubt in my mind he will make it big someday in the big leagues. But the best thing about Rey is he led by example together with Toto (Segumpan). They went to school and finished their studies to show the true embodiment of a student athlete. I’m even prouder in that aspect than any basketball award.”
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