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| (Image Source: Philstar.com/Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) |
With Chooks-To-Go Pilipinas headed by Bounty Agri Ventures Inc. (BAVI) President Ronald Mascariñas handling basketball operations, the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) is all set to return to action with the Chooks-To-Go MPBL Invitational Tournament scheduled to be held on December 11-21, 2021 most probably inside the SM Mall of Asia (MOA) Arena in Pasay City. The premiere regional men's basketball league is also in the transition towards becoming the newest professional basketball league in the country after taking the first steps inside the Games and Amusement Board (GAB) offices.
According to Chooks-To-Go spokesperson Mark Zambrano, the involvement of the league behind the first and only professional 3x3 basketball league in the Philippines is a little bit expanded coming from a title sponsorship, and its new major role will be done in partnership and cooperation with league founder Sen. Manny Pacquiao and league commissioner Kenneth Duremdes. With Chooks-To-Go handling basketball operations, the MPBL is slated to implement several changes prior to its return to action including the easing of restrictions for Fil-foreign players that will play in the league where a Philippine passport is now required for them to become eligible to play as well as those on the number of homegrown and ex-professional players. Aside from the continuing transition to professional league status, MPBL is also seeking accreditation from the Federacion Internationale de Basketball (FIBA). Following the invitational tournament, MPBL will hold a pre-season tournament on February next year in preparation for its upcoming regular season slated to start on June 12, 2022 in celebration of Philippine Independence Day.
The field for the Chooks-To-Go MPBL Invitational Tournament will comprise of MPBL Lakan Cup champion Davao Occidental Tigers, MPBL Datu Cup champion San Juan Knights, neophyte squad Negros Mascuvados, Laguna Heroes, Caloocan Supremos, Sarangani Marlins, Bicol Volcanoes, Xentro Mall-Rizal Golden Coolers, Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards, Imus Bandera, Makati Super Crunch, General Santos Warriors, Bacolod, Marikina Shoemasters, Iloilo, Muntinlupa, Bacoor, Manila, Pasig, Valenzuela, Mindoro, Bulacan and Basilan. Intended to re-ignite the country's top regional basketball league after a long hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the tournament will be under the supervision of the GAB and monitored by FIBA. There will be five games per day starting at 9:00 am possibly with limited audience if allowed by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID). The tournament will follow a closed-circuit format with players, coaches and staff must be fully vaccinated and restricted in movement from their homes to the venue and vice versa. Of course, collegiate stars and national players are allowed to play by way of special guest licenses to be issued by the GAB.
"Unang-una, nagpapasalamat kami sa lahat ng team owners na dumalo and, of course, sa Chooks-to-Go na nagkaroon tayo ng panibagong partnership. We both have a common goal which is to help our players reach their potential. May mga players na nag-struggle talaga this pandemic. Patience is a virtue talaga at naghintay ng tamang panahon ang MPBL para ma-reignite ang ating liga. This is the best time na matagal ng hinihintay ng ating mga fans at ng ating mga players," said Commissioner Duremdes. On the other hand, several team representatives have expressed their excitement and optimism for the league's return and upcoming changes. "We are very, very happy na makakapag-start na ang league with the partnership of Chooks and the MPBL. We would like to let everyone know that we are aligned with the goals of Chooks-to-Go MPBL. We needed this start para magtuloy-tuloy na for everyone. Maganda na we will have something to end the year on a positive note," said Makati Super Crunch team owner Paolo Orbeta. "Kanina nga nabanggit ni Commissioner na ang tagal ng nawala 'yung MPBL. 'Yung invitational tournament natin is our window to start the new normal," expressed Marikina Shoemasters head coach Elvis Tolentino. "We are excited sa balik bola ng Chooks-to-Go and MPBL. It's been two long years. Sobrang dami naming natatanggap ng inquiries from the players. We are happy to be able to help them again and bring them back to the sport that they love," said Xentro Mall-Rizal Golden Coolers team manager Angie Azores.
