THE CEBU City Sharks-Casino Ethyl Alcohol will be gunning for their third win in a row when they battle the Marikina Shoemasters in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League Datu Cup tonight at the Mayor Vitaliano Agan Coliseum in Zamboanga City.
The Sharks made lots of moves during the dispersal draft and the trading period, acquiring three new pieces for their team in big men Mannie Gabas and Edrian Lao, formerly of the Manila Stars and Davao Occidental Tigers, respectively.
They also got one of the most well-known players here in Cebu in Gayford Rodriguez to shore up the wing positions.
Sharks forward JR Puerto relayed that the transition for all three has been seamless.
“Madali lang nakapag adjust ang new players kasi mga bisaya din sila at kilala na namin. Hindi naman sila nahirapan matutunan mga plays namin and madali lang din sila nakakuha. We have been teammates with them sa mga ‘larong labas’ na rin so hindi issue ang chemistry talaga,” said the former standout of the University of Cebu.
Cebu City will also be welcoming back former two-time Cesafi MVP Enrico John Llanto, who has been in sick bay for the last few months because of a knee injury.
The Sharks have momentum on their side, having won two straight to boost their win-loss record to 3-8, a full game behind their opponents tonight, who are at 4-7.
Asked who will have the task of guarding renowned actor Gerald Anderson, Puerto said that that would be his job.