ONE team’s Christmas would certainly be merrier tonight after the finals of the Chooks-to-Go MPBL Invitational powered by TM.
As the curtains fall on the 13-day, FIBA-style competition with a whopping P2 million cash prize at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay, Commissioner Kenneth Duremdes pointed to the united effort of all spelled the big difference in the success of the tilt.
“The success of the tournament is the success of everyone. Iyong success na iyon, it’s a collective effort ng MPBL and of course with the directive of our founder, Sen. Manny (Pacquiao) and the Chooks-to-Go operations team,” Duremdes told Malaya-Business Insight yesterday.
“Nagpapasalamat tayo na nabigyan tayo ng chance,” he added.
The league founded by Sen. and presidential aspirant Manny Pacquiao turned pro last month and took a big leap of faith by holding the pocket tournament under a stringent closed-circuit format.
The players and officials, all of whom must be fully vaccinated, were restricted in their movement from their homes to the venue, and vice versa.
A cage great himself, Duremdes admitted he was surprised with how the players played.
“That’s to my surprise also considering almost two years na walang competitive basketball ang mga player na ito. Although mayroong ibang liga, nakita mo naman, hindi naman lahat nakalaro (in other leagues) but again nakita mo iyong competitiveness. It’s a good sign na nakita natin,” Duremdes said.
“It just goes to show that the players are here again to play and entertain the fans, to play the game of basketball– the passion of everyone. Nakikita natin na gusto na talaga nilang makabalik and nakita naman talaga natin.”
As of last night, the semifinals were being played, with powerhouse Pasig-Sta. Lucia tackling fellow contender Basilan-Jumbo Plastic Medical Depot, and favorite Nueva Ecija taking on surprise Top 4 squad Imus-Buracai de Laiya.
The runner-up will also get P500,000, while the third-place team will take P250,000.
Luke Mejares, Duncan Ramos, Jay Durias, and the rest of iconic OPM band South Border will reunite for the first time in seven years and perform in a pre-show in the finals.
At halftime, Mojofly will also perform.
Pacquiao founded the MPBL in 2017, seeing the country’s need to have a regional men’s semi-pro basketball league.
The league has held three tournaments, the Rajah, Datu, and Lakan Cups before the Invitational.
The MPBL and Chooks-to-Go partnership also proved to be a big triumph.
Duremdes said they are eyeing to stage a preseason tournament before the regular season on June 12 next year.
That plan hinges largely on the COVID-19 pandemic situation in the country.
“Ang napag-usapan pa lang namin ng ating founder (Pacquiao) is iyong month of February, pero iyong type of tournament hindi pa talaga namin napag-usapan nang detalyado,” he said.
“Although ang target date is February kailangan kasi natin malaman if first, ilan ang sasali, second, again is kung iyong pandemic ay OKay na kasi until now hindi pa natin masisigurado iyan. So, mafi-finalize lang natin lahat kung by next year ay OKay na ang lahat kasi kung preseason natin ay mga restrictions pa rin, mahirap and matagal. Kailangan talaga tignan muna natin ang situation natin with the COVID-19 pandemic.”
