LAST season’s titlists, Panthers and Sharks both logged close victories in the opening of the 10th season of the Elite Basketball Club -Cebu last weekend at the Visayan Glass Gym in Guadalupe, Cebu City.
The Panthers survived the Turtles, 58-51, while the Sharks edged the Cheetahs, 67-61, last Friday. Both teams now have 1-0 (win-loss) records so far.
The defending champion Panthers were led by Kyle Co’s 13 points while Neil Buot and Prince Panes added 11 apiece.
Malvin Malicdem carried the Sharks, who lost to the Panthers in the championship game last season, with 22 markers while Paul Salarda backed him up with 14.
Last Sunday, Rob Abayon and JK Clarete put up 16 and 14 points, respectively, as the Bulldogs defeated the Wolves, 71-65.
The Tigers, meanwhile, rallied behind Francis Ortega’s 16 to drop the Stallions, 62-54.
Also on Sunday, Sam Hermosa put on a show, recording 23 points in the Rams’ 87-58 annihilation of the Lions.