Cebu basketball community up in arms over the Classic’s 66-point loss in MPBL

Sports

A HUMILIATING loss by the Cebu Classic in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) has been met with utter disappointment.

One of those who was quick to call out the Classic’s dismal performance was Rocky Alcoseba, a prominent fixture in Cebu’s basketball circuit.

Alcoseba took to Facebook to express his frustration over the Classic’s latest performance in the MPBL that saw them absorb a thorough beating at the hands of Batangas, 65-131, on Thuesday night, June 12, in Nueva Ecija.

In the 66-point massacre, Cebu reportedly only had six players with no coaching staff manning the bench. It has been reported that the team has been plagued by financial issues in which some players and the coaching staff decided to skip games after failing to get their salaries.

In a long Facebook post, Alcoseba, son of the late multi-titled coach Raul “Yayoy” Alcoseba, the Classic’s underwhelming performance in the MPBL diminishes the Cebuano brand of basketball.

“Since time immemorial, Cebu City has taken immense pride in its basketball heritage. From the glory days of the Cebu Gems in the MBA (Metropolitan Basketball Association) to the championship-caliber M. Lhuillier Jewellers of my father, the late Coach Yayoy Alcoseba, Cebu basketball has always been defined by pride, resilience, and grit. Wherever Cebuanos play—be it in local leagues, Manila circuits, or international arenas—opponents know they’re in for a battle,” Alcoseba said.

Cebu has long been a hotbed of immense basketball talent. That’s why watching the Classic struggle mightily in the MPBL is “incredibly disheartening,” said Alcoseba.

“Basta Bisdak, gahi ug isug jud na.” That saying lives on through the current generation of Cebuano standouts like June Mar Fajardo, Roger Pogoy, Leonard Santillan, Carl Tamayo, Steve Nash Enriquez, Nic Cabañero, and Reinhard Jumamoy. That’s why it’s incredibly disheartening to witness what’s unfolding with the so-called Cebu Classic in the MPBL. A team that carries the name of our beloved island—and, by extension, our basketball legacy—should be a source of pride. But instead, we see a roster barely filled, games lost by blowouts, and an effort that doesn’t come close to reflecting the talent and tenacity Cebuanos are known for,” said Alcoseba.

The Classic are currently ranked 24th in the 30-team field, sporting a 4-11 (win-loss) record. The team is on a four-game losing slide.

“This isn’t just a disappointment. It’s a disservice,” said Alcoseba. “To field only six players in a professional league and wear the Cebu name while doing so is unacceptable.”

Alcoseba pointed out that a team representing Cebu carries a huge responsibility.

“It’s not just about wins or losses—it’s about representing a proud culture and the countless basketball warriors who came before,” Alcoseba said.

Alcoseba also offered a piece of advice to the people running the Classic.

“To the team’s management and ownership: this is your responsibility. Step up. Do better. Either rebuild this team in a way that truly honors Cebu, or drop the name entirely. Cebuano basketball deserves more than this half-hearted representation,” Alcoseba said.

Gary Cortes, coach of the University of the Visayas Green Lancers, also expressed his disappointment over the Classic’s recent loss.

Playing with grit and passion is something a Cebu

“Cebu? Sorry ha pero dili gyud ingon ani ang Cebuano basketball. Mag su sukmagay naman gani malabwan og 1 point,” Cortes said in a Facebook post.(CCM)