Cebu Greats tap Elmer Echavez in ongoing MPBL campaign

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu Greats may have lost the floor general leadership and experience of Brian Heruela, but they have gained a young, gritty Cebuano forward in Elmer Echavez.

The Cebu Greats recently released Heruela, clarifying earlier reports that suggested a trade deal had been completed between them and the Mindoro Tamaraws.

With the development, Cebuano basketball fans were left wondering who would fill the void left by a proven veteran like Heruela. The answer came in Echavez, a 6-foot-2 forward and former team captain of the University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) Jaguars in the Cesafi league.

Elmer Echavez

Echavez is expected to strengthen the team’s frontline rotation as the Cebu Greats aim to climb higher in the standings of the ongoing Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL).

In his final season in Cesafi, Echavez captured back-to-back Mythical Five selections and led USJ-R to a third-place finish in the men’s basketball tournament.

Team owner Samson Lato expressed excitement over pairing Echavez with the team’s current leading scorer and forward, Mark Meneses.

READ: Elmer Echavez’s bittersweet last dance in Cesafi

Echavez had already been on the Cebu Greats’ radar after suiting up for them in an exhibition game in Lapu-Lapu City earlier this year. Following that performance, he remained a strong candidate for a roster spot this season in the MPBL.

Aside from Echavez, the Cebu Greats also added point guard Ichie Altamirano, formerly of Blackwater Elite, to help fill the gap left by Heruela, along with the return of Jun Manzo, who is also expected to provide scoring support.

READ: A champion in its second year, Weavers now the new standard of MPBL excellence

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