BACOLOD City – Mayor Greg Gasataya has formally asked the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) to conduct an immediate and comprehensive investigation into alleged irregularities during the July 28 game between the Bulacan Kuyas and the Bacolod MassKara.
In a letter dated July 30 addressed to MPBL chief executive officer Joe Ramos, League President Kenneth Duremdes, and Commissioner Emmerson Oreta, Gasataya raised concerns over Bacolod MassKara’s fourth-quarter performance in its 100-64 loss at the Pasay Astrodome, saying the game had fueled widespread public speculation about possible game manipulation.
The mayor said the City Government of Bacolod has a responsibility to uphold public trust, promote sports development, and protect the integrity of the city’s identity.
Although the Bacolod MassKara team is neither sanctioned by him nor officially operated by the city government, Gasataya said the use of the “MassKara” name carries significant cultural and civic importance.
According to the letter, public concern intensified after the team went nearly eight minutes without scoring in the fourth quarter, coupled with sequences that many fans and observers described as unusual.
Gasataya cited reports that players passed up open scoring opportunities, committed uncharacteristic mistakes, and appeared to lack competitive effort during the closing period. He also noted that game commentators reportedly questioned the team’s performance during the live telecast.
“As a huge basketball fan myself, I am mindful that scoring slumps may occur,” Gasataya wrote.
“But the passive on-court demeanor, unusual player rotations, and highly irregular lapses flagged by both the public and game commentators during the said game evidently point to a potential violation of sports integrity and professional standards,” he added.
While stressing that no conclusions should be made without a proper investigation, Gasataya said the allegations have affected the reputation of Bacolod City and raised concerns among local basketball supporters.
He said the city would not allow its name to be associated with any form of game-fixing or irregular betting activity if the allegations are proven true.
The mayor urged the MPBL, in coordination with the Games and Amusements Board (GAB), to conduct a technical review of the entire fourth quarter, including player movements and rotation patterns, require the team’s management, coaching staff, and players to submit sworn explanations regarding their performance, and furnish the Bacolod City Government and the GAB with the investigation’s findings to determine whether administrative, franchise, or legal action is warranted.
Gasataya said maintaining public confidence is vital to the league’s credibility, warning that failure to thoroughly examine unusual game situations could undermine the integrity of the MPBL and diminish the efforts of athletes who compete fairly.
He also noted that, based on his letter, this was not the first time an MPBL team carrying the “Bacolod” name had been linked to a similar controversy.
As of Thursday, the MPBL had yet to issue a public response to the mayor’s request for a formal investigation./PN
