The Cebu Greats/MJAS Zenith quickly reloaded following the departure of Fil-Am guard Brian Heruela by adding homegrown talent Elmer Echavez and former PBA cager Ichie Altamirano to their roster in the ongoing Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) Season 8.
Cebu lost a vital cog when Heruela, a six-time PBA champion, left the team to play for the Mindoro Tamaraws in a shock mid-season move.
But the Greats immediately beefed up their roster by acquiring Echavez and Altamirano, as per Cebu team owner Samson Lato.
‘Nagpabata ta para makasabay ta sa mga batan-on,’ said Lato.
A former collegiate standout with the University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) Jaguars who also made his mark in commercial leagues, the Talisay City-native Echavez looks forward to his pro debut this Wednesday, June 10, when the Greats take on the Parañaque Patriots at the Caloocan Sports Complex.
‘Gi-target gyud na siya (Echavez) namo kay kugihan, dako na siya og ma-contribute sa team,’ said Lato.
Meanwhile, Lato said Altamirano has already asked permission to leave Blackwater Bossing and is now ready to suit up for the Greats.
The 5-foot-11 sentinel from Antipolo City previously donned the jerseys of the Muntinlupa Cagers, Negros Muscovados, Quezon City-Toda Aksyon, and Zamboanga-SIKAT in the MPBL.
‘Naa pa mi ipuno nga duha ka players para mas malakas ang team,’ said Lato.
Cebu currently holds an 8-3 record, winning six of their last seven games.