On the road to recovery

CEBU, Philippines — With Cebu being the hotbed of basketball in the south, the Cebu City Sharks came under fire after dropping their first four games in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL).

The Sharks further swam in turbulent seas when they set a record in ignominy after going scoreless in the first period during their 31-point loss to the Manila Stars fortnight ago.

But enough is enough for the Sharks.

Under heavy pressure to deliver coming off an embarrassing defeat, the Casino Active-backed Sharks responded to the challenge with fire in their eyes.

 They did it in style.

Former collegiate standout Rhaffy Octobre dished out a scintillating double-double show as the Sharks downed the defending champions Batangas City Athletics, 72-66, for their first ever victory in the 2018 MPBL Datu Cup last Thursday night at the Batangas City Coliseum.

Aside from applying brake on their four-game jinx, the Sharks also erased the stigma of their disappointing 76-107 setback to Manila wherein they misfired their first 15 shots and went scoreless in the entire first period last July 24 at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City.

Fighting with great revolve and renewed vigor, the Sharks were never threatened since racing to a hot 22-7 start on the way to pulling off a breakthrough win in the regional cage league founded by Filipino sports hero Manny Pacquiao.

Octobre showed the way for the Titing Manalili-mentored Sharks with 25 points and 10 rebounds in a breakout performance that saw the former University of the Visayas (UV) Green Lancers star hitting 11-of-19 from the field including 3-of-4 from the 3-point land.

Cesar Catli, who like Octobre is a product of the elite UV Basketball, pitched in 12 points and five boards, while ex-pro Jondan Salvador scored only two but made his presence felt with 11 boards and nine assists for the Sharks, who kept Batangas at bay since taking a 57-39 edge after three quarters.

Batangas outpointed Cebu in the final stretch, 27-15, but the Sharks did not wilt when the game was on the line to escape with a breathtaking six-point triumph.

The Sharks hope to sustain their momentum when they go up against the Davao Occidental Tigers on August 14 at the Strike Gymnasium in Bacoor, Cavite.