By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
Cebuano gunner Patrick Cabahug will be reinforcing veteran Paolo Hubalde and the Valenzuela City-Carga Backload Solutions in the next season of the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League.
Ending his stint with the Cebu Casino Ethyl Alcohol squad, the ex-Pro and a veteran in the Asean Basketball League (ABL) will be backing up the rebuilding team, who still has leader Hubalde to carry on main point-guard duties.
Cabahug averaged 9.1 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 2.1 assists in his season with Cebu, and is aiming to improve those numbers in his present tenure with the Backload Solutions.
Showing flashes of his old self during Cebu’s crucial wins, Cabahug proved that he still has enough gas left in the tank after delivering in the clutch in several games.
Jhon Santos, Valenzuela’s team manager, is relying heavily on Hubalde and Cabahug’s veteran experience in leading the team to a much-improved record.
“Silang dalawa ni Paolo, yung experience nila talaga talagang malalim na. So malaking tulong si Patrick,” said Santos.
Aside from Cabahug, the management also acquired 2019 CESAFI Mythical Team members Shane Menina and Tristan Albina, who both came from the University of Cebu.
“Mga winner na rin ‘tong mga batang ‘to mga own rights nila so pakiramdam namin na bata sila pero experience wise medyo marami na ring pinagdaaanan. Kaya tingin namin malaki ang maitutulong nila sa team, kaunting adjustment lang siguro,” Santos added.
