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MPBL, ‘Ang Liga ng Bawat Pilipino’, looks for big rebound in 2023

February 12, 2023 Ed Andaya 721 views
Pacquiao
MPBL founder Sen. Manny Pacquiao.
Duremdes
MPBL Commissioner Kenneth Duremdes.

THE pandemic is over, and the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) is looking to rebound strong in the year 2023.

The MPBL, known as “Ang Liga ng Bawat Pilipino”, sees another banner year starting with the week-long pre-season tournament in General Santos City all the way to the much-awaited Season 5 opening on March 10 and the blockbuster All-Star Weekend.

In between these tournaments, the MPBL will take three to four weeks break in support of the FIBA World Cup scheduled on Aug. 25-Sept. 10 in Manila.

“The MPBL is all set for another big year. We have a full 10-month calendar, including giving way to the FIBA World Cup as our suppport too our national team,” said MPBL Commissioner Kenneth Duremdes during the 54th “Sports on Air” weekly podcast via Zoom.

“Right now, we’re looking at 26-28 participating teams. That’s more than 500 games in 10 months. We have a pre-season tournament with six teams in General Santos City.We have the All-Star Game. And we’ll take a break for the FIBA World Cup, which our country is hosting,” added Duremdes, who was personally tapped by MPBL founder Sen. Manny Pacquiao as commissioner in November, 2017.

“Hopefully, we’ll have another successful year this year. Alam naman natin na during the pandemic, talagang nalungkot ang sambayanang Pilipino dahil walang sports, especially basketball.

Ngayong nagbabalik na uli ang basketball, nakikita ko na ang sigla ng mga kababayan natin. We also saw that in the recent PBA Commissioner’s Cup. Sa amin sa MPBL nandun pa din ang mga fans natin mula sa kanya-kanyang mga probinsya dahil nakita naman natin ang success ng liga last season.”

Duremdes, nicknamed as “Captain Marbel” during his playing days in the PBA, also expressed enthusiasm in the coming pre-season tournament in General Santos.

“Before the opening of the 5th season, we will have a pre-season tournament in GenSan. Right now, we have five confirmed teams plus one guest team of Sen. Manny It will be an exciting one-week tournament before our formal opening on March 10,” said the 49-year-old Duremdes.

“With more than 500 games for 10 months, the All-Star Game for the seasonand the three-week break for the World Cup, medyo challenging ito for the MPBL. We have to squeeze everything in the calendar. But we believe that we can do it. Madami din namang challenges in the past seasons, like yun mga force majeure. So we know we can do it again in the MPBL.”

Asked about the MPBl’s relationship with the PBA, Asia’s first play-for-pay league, other professional basketball leagues, Duremdes hopes to push for good working relationship with all the stakeholders for the benefit of local basketball.

Actually, I have been regularly communicating with the PBA, especially Commissioner Willie Marcial. Lagi naman kami nag-uusap, lalo na kapag mayroong mga minor problems and concerns in both leagues. We do have a common goal na one nation, one basketball. Different leagues nga lang,” said Duremdes, who was voted as PBA MVP in 1998.

“Hopefully, mas magkaroon pa kami ng more engagement and planning with him. I really believe the PBA and MPBL can help each other develop more good players. Yung ibang players natin na nade-develop sa MPBL, napupunta naman sa PBA and that’ \s a good sign. That’s the vision from the beginning of our founder, Sen. Manny Pacquiao,”esplained Duremdes, who played for Sunkist, Alaska Milk, Sta. Lucia Realty and Coca-Cola in the PBA .from 1995-2008.

“Aside from giving jobs, we give them opportunities to prove themsleves and reach the highest level of basketball in the country, which is the PBA. Masaya kami na may makitang players na makalaro sa PBA. Yun mga hindi pa hinog sa PBA, we welcome them to go back at magpahinog sa PBA. Yun naman talaga ang vision ng liga na ito ni Sen. Manny, na mabigyan ng equal opportunities ang lahat. Na yung mga basketball players na someday ma-reach nila ang goal to play in the highest level of basketball.”

This is also the reason why the MPBL is still not looking at suggestions to get foreign players in its tournament.

“As Sen. Manny put it, we can’t have foreign players or imports in the league because they put Filipinos at a disadvantage. Gusto nating bigyan ng mas madaming pagkakataon ang atng mga homegrown players, especially those from the provinces.”

“Gaya nga ng lagi naming sinasabi, ang MPBL ang liga ng bawat Pilipino.”

Inviting a guest foreign team, like the Bay Area Dragons in the PBA, is another far-fetched idea for now.

“Actually, nakausap ko na si (former player) Bennett Palad, na may hinahawakan na team sa US na puro Fil-Ams. Pwede naman nga sana. Pero alam naman natin na ang ating tournament is 10 months, hindi ito 3-4 months lang. Baka masyadong expensive for a guest team pag mangagaling sa labas ng bansa at mag-stay ka dito for 10 months. Pero kung meron naman silang capacity to compete within 10 months of the tournament, open tayo diyan.”

“Kay Sen.Manny naman, everyone is welcome to play. It’s actually good for all the players, dahil secured ka na may work for 10 months a year. Yun 2-3 months na rest, may ibang liga to play depende sa player.”

“During our time, ang option namin is PBA lang. After that, walang international or any other leagues to play. Ngayon madami na talagang opportunities to play. But in the MPBL, we always remind our players na pahalagahan nila yung mga opportunities na ibinibigay sa kanila. Once magkaroon ka ng bad record, mahirap na. Lahat ng mga leagues, nakatutok sa mga players, Kapag may ginawa kang kalokohan, hindi ka na pwedeng basta matanggap sa ibang liga.”

Duremdes also said the MPBL is willing to work closely wth the Games and AmusementsBoard (GAB), headed by Chairman Atty. Richard Clarin, to promote the welfare of the athletes.

“The MPBL is willing to wotk with the GAB, lalo na sa mga gusot involving our players. Maganda itong pagkakataon na makausap namin ang bagong GAB chairman. We can both find win-win solution sa mga problema, gaya sa mga conflict of schedules and players’contract. Last season, we elevated one case to GAB na may player kaming may live contract, but pumirma din sa PBA. Yun mga ganung scenarios, baka pwede na natin maiwasan in the future sa tulong na din ng GAB. Napag-uusapan naman ang lahat at walang binabawalan na maglaro kung saan nya gusto. Ang importante lang ay tapusin ang obligasyon, lalo kung may live contract.”

A major addition in this year’s MPBL tournament is the Coaches’ Challenge rule now being used in the NBA.

“Susubukan natin ito ngayong taon and let’s see kung maka ubuti ito sa liga.”

Duremdes also assured that the MPBL will still follow the guidelines of LGUs on health protocols for the safety not only of the players and officials, but also of the fans.

“Kanya-kanyang guidelines ang mga LGUs, so kung ano yung guidelines na ipapasa nila, susundin natin. So far, wala naman tayong na-encounter na mga cases, but we do believe kung magkaroon, we have to follow kung anuman ang mga protocols na ipinatutupad.”

Duremdes said he is excited to welcome the newest member team from the Quezon province.

“We’re happy na meron tayong panibagong franchise. Let’s see kung ano ang atmosphere at culture sa Quezon kasi if we are observing the different cultures of the Filipinos, pag nandoon tayo sa probinsya, kanya-kanyang kultura when it comes sa hospitality. Pati dun sa mga preparations ng players nila, kanya-kanya rin. That’s what we have observed in the MPBL. With reports from Gab Ferreras

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