THE Cebu City Sharks-Casino Ethyl Alcohol are treating every game from hereon end as must-win situations as they bid to make the playoffs of the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League Datu Cup.
The Sharks convened for practice for the first time since their holiday break on Thursday morning and went straight back to business. At 8-11 (win-loss), the team is currently tied for eighth place in the South division with the Laguna Heroes.
Only the top eight teams in each division will advance to the next round.
With just six more games remaining on their slate, the Sharks intend to make every practice count with their next game slated for January 12.
“Every game is a must win, especially with where we are right now in the standings. We’re really after a spot in the playoffs so we can’t afford any more losses because we don’t want all our hard work and sacrifices to go down the drain,” said guard Jaybie Mantilla, who was crucial in the team’s 71-70 win over the Caloocan Supremos last time out.
The Sharks were down 55-64 in the fourth period of that game but rallied in the final minute to take the win.
The team’s top gun, Patrick Jan Cabahug, lauded his teammates for showing guts in that hard-fought game.
“In the huddle, I just told them to never give up and just give maximum effort, regardless of whoever it is on the court,” shared the former University of the Visayas Lancer who scored 22 points in the win.