Sharks hoping for another homegame victory tonight

The Cebu City Sharks fine-tune their plays right before their game versus the Laguna Heroes on Saturday.
CDN PHOTO/JONAS REY N. PANERIO

GAMES TODAY (HOOPSDOME)
7 p.m. – SAN JUAN vs. IMUS
9 p.m. – CEBU CITY vs. LAGUNA

The Cebu City Sharks-Casino Ethyl Alcohol try to go back to their winning ways as they play host to the Laguna Heroes in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League Datu Cup tonight at the Hoopsdome in Lapu-Lapu City.

The Sharks are coming off a 62-71 loss to the Knights, a setback that halted their four-game winning streak and dropped them to 5-9 in the South division.

But, with their home crowd egging them on, the Sharks will be looking to right the ship against a Heroes squad that is sporting an even 7-7 win-loss record.

“They’re an aggressive team. They switch their defense up regularly so it’s on us to make adjustments and know what to do whenever they do,” said the Sharks’ head coach Titing Manalili, who relayed that the team’s inability to adapt to the Knights’ full-court defense doomed them in their last game.

The Sharks must also contend with the Heroes’ formidable cadre of players led by Ryan Buenafe, Michael Miranda, Lord Casajeros, Dennis Miranda and former University of the Visayas standout, Ralf Olivares.

But Cebu City also has an additional weapon up its sleeve in former Cesafi MVP, Jaybie Mantilla, who will be playing in his very first game today.

“I’m happy to be immediately given this chance right after the Cesafi. Even though I’m new to the team, I am grateful to be given this opportunity to play. I’ve been able to adjust to the system and I am excited to play at this level,” shared the do-it-all guard.

In the first game, the Knights will be taking on Imus Bandera, which will feature Mandaue City native, Elmer Mykiel Cabahug, the son of former PBA great, Elmer Cabahug.