THE CASINO Ethyl Alcohol-Cebu City Sharks will make their debut in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) on June 21 against the Bacoor Strikers in a game that will be held in Muntinlupa.
The Sharks, the lone representative of the Visayas region in the league founded by boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao, will have their mettle tested as they face off against the last team to confirm its participation in the tournament.
After that, the Sharks take on the Paranaque Patriots on July 3 on the latter’s homefloor followed by a game against the Basilan Steel on July 12 in Bacoor.
Ironically, the Steel is being led by several Cebuano standouts in former pro Jercules Tangkay and Mark Jonas Ababon.
From there, Cebu City battles the Manila Stars on July 24 in Pasay. The Stars also have Cebuano products on their squad in Roger Yap, Manny Gabas, Gayford Rodriguez and reigning Cesafi MVP, Jaybie Mantilla.
The Sharks will then travel to the lair of the reigning MPBL champions Batangas Athletics on August 2 before taking on fellow southern team, Davao Occidental Tigers, on August 14, in Bacoor.
Cebu City has been bracketed in the South, along with Laguna, Muntinlupa, Imus, Batangas, Paranaque, Rizal, Marikina, Bacoor, Davao Occi, Zamboanga, Basilan and General Santos.