MANILA — The Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) has thrown the Bacolod MassKara franchise out of the remainder of the 2026 season and permanently banned its players and coaches in its strongest disciplinary action yet against alleged game manipulation, following the team’s controversial July 28 defeat to the Bulacan Kuyas.
The sanctions, announced Thursday night, came after scrutiny of Bacolod’s 100-64 loss at the Cuneta Astrodome, where the MassKara failed to score a field goal over the final 7:48 of the contest, fueling allegations of possible game-fixing that quickly spread across social media.
In a statement, the league said Red Cards had been issued to those involved.
“In light of recent allegations concerning potential game-manipulation, the League office has officially issued Red Cards to the involved players and coaches of Bacolod MassKara,” the MPBL said.
The league added that “all individuals served with Red Cards are permanently banned from the league” and confirmed that “the franchise’s participation for the remainder of the season has been cancelled.”
The MPBL clarified that the sanctions are administrative while a full investigation remains underway.
“The League stresses that these measures are preventive and administrative as the league will continue its investigation together with relevant government agencies,” it said.
The controversy also prompted Bacolod City Mayor Greg Gasataya to call for a formal investigation by both the MPBL and the Games and Amusements Board (GAB), stressing that Bacolod’s name should never be linked to game-fixing or illegal betting activities.
The GAB has since opened a fact-finding investigation and directed individuals who may have committed acts constituting conduct unbecoming of a professional basketball player to submit written explanations before any ruling is made.
The MPBL disclosed that the Bacolod franchise had previously been placed under scrutiny, with some team members receiving Yellow Cards earlier this season over separate incidents flagged by the Office of the Commissioner.
According to the league, the Red Card system was introduced by founder and chairman Manny Pacquiao as part of its intensified campaign against game manipulation and other threats to the integrity of professional basketball.
The league reiterated that it would continue imposing the toughest possible sanctions against anyone found undermining the credibility of the competition.
“Swift and decisive action will continue to be taken against any conduct that threatens the trust of our fans, team owners, and the public,” the MPBL said.
Despite the controversy, the league assured fans that preserving the integrity of the sport remains its top priority.
“We vow to the public, our fans, and the entire basketball community that we will remain relentless and uncompromising in eradicating game-manipulation from Philippine basketball. The integrity of the game will always come first,” the league said./PN
