MON Fernandez. June Mar Fajardo. Dondon Hontiveros.

They are just some of the all-time greats in Philippine basketball that either came out of Cebu or honed their skills in the recognized basketball hotbed of the South.

But how come that since the 2020 season, no Cebu team has been active in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL), leaving a big hole in the regional league founded by boxing great turned Senator Manny Pacquiao.

Well, that is about to change as a well-known sportsman is in the process of putting together a Cebu team for the MPBL’s coming seventh season.

“We’re finalizing details but yes Cebu will be back in the MPBL,” said the source who is privy to the negotiations.

According to the source, the new group has already bought the Cebu franchise of the MPBL and is in the process of formalizing its membership in the league.

Among the players being eyed as a cornestone of the new Cebu franchise is former Ginebra big man and ex-Japan B.League Asian import Greg Slaughter.

Slaughter, 36, played for the Manila Batang Sampaloc in the last MPBL season.

“Inaayos na ang pagpasok ni Greg sa team. It won’t be that hard to get him as he is from Cebu, his humble beginnings in basketball started in Cebu,” said the source, citing the seven-footer's roots at the University of the Visayas.

The team is also eyeing former PBA players and to be reinforced by young and up-and-coming cagers from Cebu.

“Maraming talent ng basketball sa Cebu and basketball is the island’s top sport. We need not mention the long line of PBA legends who came from the province,” said the source.

Although details are being kept under wraps, a newly created Facebook page named Cebu Classic has announced open tryouts to be held this weekend in Cebu City and Danao.

One FB user who commented on the post urged the new team to gather some of the best players from Cebu believed to be available, among them JR Quinahan, Mac Tallo, Dondon's son Ice Hontiveros, Paul Desiderio, and Titing Manalili.

Casino Rubbing Alcohol was the last Cebu-based team to take part in the MPBL in the 2019-2020 season, but it has been inactive since the league re-emerged as a professional entity after the pandemic.

A Cebu-based team will come as a big boost to the MPBL, given the huge following of the sport in the province as seen from the popularity of the Cebu Gems in the defunct MBA in the late 90s.

The basketball hotbed is also better equipped to host MPBL matches with the Hoops Dome now in full operation and the SM Seaside Arena under construction.

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