CEBU is currently authoring one of the most memorable Cinderella runs in recent Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) history, and team owner Samson Lato is savoring every single second of the incredible ride.
Despite operating on a significantly smaller budget compared to the league's heavyweights, the resilient Cebuano squad has been continuously shocking the local basketball scene by taking down absolute giants.
Lato's gritty crew previously sent shockwaves across the league by scoring a landmark upset against defending champion Abra Solid North Weavers during the eliminations, but they didn't stop there.
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Carrying that giant-slaying momentum into the playoffs, Cebu stunned the heavily favored, inaugural MPBL champion Batangas City Tanduay via 2-0 quarterfinal sweep.
The underdog squad drew first blood with a pulsating 78-77 squeaker during the series opener held in Lucena last October 8.
Refusing to give their powerhouse rivals any room to breathe, the Cebuanos marched right into hostile territory and finished off Batangas with a masterful 70-67 clincher in Game 2.
"Hindi ko alam how I will react. We didn't expect to go this far," an ecstatic Lato admitted following their historic sweep.
"I am just overwhelmed. We only wanted continuity of the program and give jobs to our players, but we are performing beyond expectations," the sports patron, who owns the Cebu-based MJAS Zenith geophysical solutions firm, added.
Team manager Jhon Santos also praised the boys for continuously defying the odds despite lacking the massive financial backing enjoyed by their powerhouse rivals.
"I am happy with the boys. Though, at times di namin nabibigay yung perks na gaya sa ibang team, the players respond well every game," Santos shared.
"Kaya sa alaga at pagmamahal kami bumabawi sa kanila. Somehow, it helps," the team executive proudly pointed out.
With the team now deeply entrenched in the grueling postseason grind, the management is crossing its fingers that this magical, headline-grabbing run will finally attract more financial backers.
"Hopefully yung campaign namin ngayon will get the attention of would-be sponsors. This team can go far. Ang laki ng potential ng team," Santos emphasized.
Cebu will now enjoy a well-deserved break before the South Division semifinals where it will face the winner of the grueling series between Quezon and Zamboanga, which is currently deadlocked at 1-1.
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