Cebu City Sharks coach on choosing players for team: Attitude over talent

Those who tried out for the Cebu City Sharks huddle at center court at the Capitol Parish Gym. CDN Digital photo | Jonas Panerio

Cebu City, Philippines — As intense as the clamor is for former PBA player Eliud Poligrates to be included in the lineup of the Cebu City Sharks-Casino Ethyl Alcohol for the next season of the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League, head coach Titing Manalili is tempering expectations as he evaluates the current roster and the bevy of players who are aspiring to play for the Cebu team.

The Sharks held a two-day tryout earlier this week with some of Cebu’s finest showing up to try their luck. 

Manalili, the veteran mentor that he is, said that he will take his time in assessing not just the players’ skills but more so their attitude.

“Right now, number one thing that I am looking at is attitude. I don’t care if you are that good of a player, I will always look at attitude first,” said Manalili. 

“Ang attitude, dili na namo matudlo. Naa ra jud na sa player. Ang skills, pwede pa ma-develop.” (Attitude can’t be taught. It’s in the player. Skills can be developed.)

Manalili added that they are looking to acquire players that could bolster their backcourt in the wake of the sweep that they suffered at the hands of Davao Occidental in the South Division playoffs.

“Nakita man namo sa playoffs na even though naka adjust na, naa jud gihapon lack of experience,” Manalili relayed. (We saw in the playoffs that even if we were able to adjust, there was still the lack of experience.)

He also said that the team will be having more tryouts next week to accommodate some talents coming from Negros, namely Toto Segumpan, John Nermal and Colegio de Sta. Ana de Victorias Titans star, Jeffrey Manday. /bmjo