Team owner Sam Lato proud and happy to help Cebu regain lost pride in MPBL

Their play-in bid still hangs in the balance as of the moment yet Cebuano businessman-sportsman Samson Lato is already overcome with joy for helping Cebu recover from a turbulent start and eventually achieve a certain measure of success in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) 2025 Season.

- EMMANUEL B. VILLARUEL Sports Editor

When the then Cebu Classic was in turmoil with key players moving out one after another because of nonpayment of salaries that resulted in a string of embarrassing defeats and a huge backlash from disgruntled Cebuano fans, Lato took a bold step of taking over the ownership and management of his hometown team.

“Naluoy ko sa uban mga players nga nawad-an og trabaho,” said Lato, who hails from Danao City. “Pero ang naka-motivate gyud nako mao nga dili mauuwawan ato province kay proud Cebuano baya ta.

Daghang maayo nga mga players sa ato ug dili ta kabintahaan kon basketball na ang hisgutan.”