A BUNCH of late entrants padded to 22 teams the participants in the Chooks-to-Go MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) Invitational set on Dec. 11 to 21 most probably at the MOA Arena in Pasay City.
MPBL Commissioner Kenneth Duremdes bared this yesterday when he graced the PSA online Sports Forum.
Initially, only 13 teams committed to join the tournament, to be conducted by Chooks-to-Go.
Composing the final roster are newcomer Negros Mascuvados, Datu Cup champion San Juan, Laguna, Caloocan, Sarangani, Bicol, Rizal, Nueva Ecija, Imus, Makati, General Santos, Bacolod, Marikina, Iloilo, Muntinlupa, Bacoor, Manila, Pasig, Valenzuela, Mindoro, Bulacan and Basilan.
Duremdes said the Invitational, which intends to re-ignite the country’s top regional league after a long break due to the pandemic, will be under the supervision of the Games and Amusements Board and will be monitored by the International Basketball Federation (FIBA).
If allowed by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases, a limited audience will be allowed to watch the games (five a day) live starting at 9 a.m.
“We’re ready (to restart),” said Duremdes. “The time is right. The teams are ready and the players are in shape, basketball-game ready.”
In adherence to health protocols, Duremdes said the tournament will adopt the closed-circuit format, with the players and officials, all of whom must be fully vaccinated, restricted in movement from their homes to venue, and vice versa.
Collegiate stars and national players will be allowed to play through the GAB’s Special Guest Licenseguest licenses.
With Chooks-to-Go, headed by Ronald Mascarinas, given an expanded role by MPBL founder and CEO Sen. Manny Pacquiao, the league will hold a pre-season tournament in February next year in preparation for the regular season set to start on June 12.
