THE Cebu City Sharks-Casino Ethyl Alcohol came up short in their debut against the Bacoor Strikers, 71-76, in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) Datu Cup in the Muntinlupa Sports Complex last Thursday night.
The Sharks rallied in the fourth quarter as they scored 22 points and limited the Strikers to only 13 points, but the gallant stand was not enough to erase the 14-point deficit after they got outgunned 24-14 in the third quarter.
The Sharks had a 19-17 lead after the first quarter but the Strikers were quick to answer and they turned the two-point deficit into a 39-35 edge at the half. The Strikers erected a 63-49 edge going to the final quarter.
Former PBA Player Cesar Catli led the Sharks with 15 points and 10 rebounds, Rhaffy Octobre added 14 points and nine rebounds, while Francisco Arong Jr. chipped in 11 points and six boards.
Cebuano athlete Oping Sumalinog, a product of Don Bosco Technology Center, led the charge for Bacoor with 22 points and seven rebounds. Mark Montuno chipped in 18 and Mikee Reyes handed 15.
The Sharks, the lone Visayas team in the regional-wide league founded by Sen. Manny Pacquiao, played their first game in the 2018 Season without their marquee players Patrick Cabahug and John Michael Abadia.
The Cebuano shooting guard Cabahug is still playing in Bangkok, Thailand and is set to join the team next month, while Abadia will be available for the team by the end of this month.
The International Pharmaceuticals Inc. (IPI)-backed team will visit the Parañaque Patriots next on July 3. (RSC)