CEBU CITY, Philippines — The University of the Visayas (UV) Green Lancers are chasing history once again, but head coach Gary Cortes knows that a fifth straight CESAFI championship will not come easily.
Fresh off a historic four-peat, the defending champions enter the CESAFI Season 26 men’s basketball tournament with a massive target on their backs—and Cortes is already bracing his players for what could be their toughest title defense yet.
The reason? The competition is getting stronger.
Several teams have reinforced their lineups heading into the new season, raising the stakes for a UV squad attempting to extend one of the most dominant runs in Cebu collegiate basketball. The Green Lancers are set to open their five-peat campaign against the University of San Carlos Warriors on August 30, a day after the official opening of CESAFI Season 26 at the Cebu Coliseum.
A Dynasty Chasing Another Piece of History
UV’s current run is already remarkable.
The Green Lancers have won four consecutive championships since CESAFI resumed after the pandemic, while Cortes has guided the program to a string of championship appearances dating back to his arrival as head coach in 2015.
According to recent reports, UV is now seeking an unprecedented 10th consecutive finals appearance under Cortes. The veteran coach has already collected seven championship trophies and remains within striking distance of the league’s most decorated coaching records.
But history offers no guarantees.
The Lancers’ recent championship campaigns have shown that even a dynasty can be pushed to the limit. Their rivalry with the University of Cebu Webmasters has produced several fiercely contested battles, including a three-game finals series in 2023 and another hard-fought championship showdown in 2025.
That experience may be exactly why Cortes is refusing to take the five-peat chase for granted.
The Challengers Are Coming
UV will not be alone in the race for the CESAFI crown.
Eight teams are competing in the college division this season, including traditional rivals UC, USJ-R, USPF, CIT-U, Benedicto College and USC, along with newcomer UCLM.
The addition of another collegiate program and the strengthening of competing squads add another layer of intrigue to a tournament long dominated by the Green Lancers.
For UV, the challenge is no longer simply about defending a championship.
It’s about surviving every opponent’s best shot.
The Green Lancers know what comes with being champions: every game becomes a statement opportunity for the other side. Every close contest becomes a test of composure. And every loss—or even a moment of weakness—will fuel hopes that UV’s reign can finally be ended.
Can UV’s Stars Deliver Again?
The Green Lancers still possess the championship experience needed for another deep run.
Recent seasons have seen players such as Raul Gentallan emerge as key figures in UV’s success. Gentallan played a major role in the team’s championship run and has been recognized for his ability to deliver in high-pressure moments, while the program’s championship core has repeatedly proven capable of responding when the stakes are highest.
But a five-peat requires more than star power.
It requires depth, health, discipline and consistency across an entire season.
Cortes has seen firsthand how quickly a dominant team can be tested. During previous campaigns, UV faced unexpected setbacks and intense challenges before ultimately finding its championship form.
That is the reality facing the Green Lancers again in 2026.
The Five-Peat Is Within Reach—But So Is an Upset
For the rest of CESAFI, the mission is simple: stop the dynasty.
For UV, the mission is even bigger: make history again.
The Green Lancers enter Season 26 with the pedigree of champions and the experience of a program that has spent years thriving under pressure. But as the competition tightens and new challengers emerge, Cortes’ warning carries weight.
A fifth straight title won’t be handed to them because of what they accomplished yesterday.
They will have to earn it—one game at a time.
And that is what makes UV’s latest title defense one of the biggest stories of the new CESAFI season.
Four championships are already in the books. One more would make history.
But with a tougher field waiting, the question now is: can the Green Lancers finish what their dynasty started—or is CESAFI finally ready for a new king?
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