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BY ADRIAN STEWART CO
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February 9, 2018
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FILIPINO ring icon Manny Pacquiao has high hopes for his brainchild, Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL), will turn out to be the countryās version of the National Basketball Association (NBA).
In an interview with the media during the opening of the inaugural season last Thursday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, Pacquiao said he expects the league to grow next year from its current standing of 10 teams.
Among the participating squads this season are Bataan Defenders, Batangas Tanduay Athletics, Bulacan Kuyas, Caloocan Supremos, Imus Bandera, Muntinlupa Cagers, Navotas Clutch, ParaƱaque Patriots, Quezon City Capitals, and Valenzuela Classics.
āMadami ang nag-i-inquire, madami ang gusto sumali ang kaso naka-set up na āyung league (for first season),ā said Pacquiao. āTingin ko aabot pa āyan ng mga 20 teams next year.ā
āNakikita ko na magiging parang NBA ito. Kung sa NBA, may Eastern at Western Conference, sa atin naman ay may North at South,ā added the former Kia Picanto playing coach.
Pacquiao admitted that his league was inspired by the defunct Metropolitan Basketball Association (MBA) but his MPBL will have the participation of local government units (LGU).
āMaganda ang MPBL kasi lugar laban sa lugar. Pero hindi ito katulad ng MBA dati na parang commercial. Dito sa MPBL involved ang mga local government units,ā Pacquiao said.
āMatagal ko ring binuo itong MPBL mga isang taon. āYung formula na binuo natin, kung papaano natin mapapaganda at mai-involve āyung mamamayan natin sa basketball, sa liga na ito, āyun ang naisip ko,ā he said.
While Pacquiaoās MPBL is still way way far from the stature of the PBA, the league is also a big help as it give opportunities to the players who did not make it or were already gone in the PBA. We at Buzzer Beater are hoping for its success./PN
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