THE fourth season of the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League kicks off on April 25 with no less than founder and boxing legend Sen. Manny Pacquiao serving as special guest of honor in the opener at Batangas Coliseum.
Commissioner Kenneth Duremdes said plans are now being made on the personal appearance of the 43-year-old retired boxer and presidential aspirant despite his busy schedule on the campaign trail for the coming national elections.
“Pupunta siya sa opening sa Batangas City Coliseum. Ginagawa na ng political team niya ‘yung schedule niya,” Duremdes said in the Philippine Sportswriters Association online forum yesterday.
Duremdes and other MPBL officials had a long meeting with Pacquiao last Monday to discuss the plans and programs of the league for its new season that will see a total of 18 teams competing.
Basilan, which won the short MPBL Invitational last December, leads the league regulars returning for another tour of duty, along with Nueva Ecija, and San Juan, while Negros will play in its first MPBL season after seeing action in the same invitational meet three months ago.
“Yes, they will join the fourth season, and they’ve already submitted their letter of intent to join,” Duremdes said in the public sports program presented by San Miguel Corp., Milo, Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee, Unilever, Amelie Hotel Manila, and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp.
