Cebu City Sharks give updates on team status in MPBL

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu City Sharks-Casino Ethyl Alcohol, Cebu's home team in the community-based Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League founded by boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao, gave some updates on the status of the team in the ongoing MPBL Datu Cup.

In their official Facebook page, the International Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (IPI) management handling the Sharks said they have let go of their five players in John Abad, Franz Arong, Jovanie Luz, Garexx Puerto, and Iron Suano.

Shooting forward Cesar Catli is also no longer with the team for the rest of the season as he flew to California in United Staes after their game against the Rizal Crusaders in Makati City last November.

In an effort to fill in the void left by Catli and Abad, the Sharks picked up former collegiate stars Jaybie Mantilla and RJ Dinolan, who both played their final season with the University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) Jaguars in the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI) last year.

"Dinolan is the last addition to the team this season and no further releases will happen," the Sharks said in a statement.

The Sharks also made some clarifications regarding the status of Edrian Lao, Dinolan, William MacAloney and Victor Nuñez after they were being drafted by the leagues they want to join in.

Lao was picked by Northport Batang Pier in the PBA Draft last December but will continue to play for the Sharks until he signs a contract with his new team.

Dinolan, on the other hand, was chosen by Trinity College, while McAloney and Nuñez were tabbed by Che'Lu Bar and Grill in the PBA D-League Draft the other day.

"This league is a requirement for players who dreams of joining the PBA and we couldn't be more happy for them for this milestone in their careers. They will be playing for the rest of the MPBL season even if the D-League is already starting and proper arrangements in their schedules will be made to ensure both the Sharks and their D'League team will not be affected," the Sharks furthered.

The Sharks are currently tied with the Laguna Heroes at seventh place in the MPBL Southern Division standings with identical 9-11 win-loss records.