MANILA — The Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) is pressing ahead with possible legal action arising from its investigation into the defunct Iloilo United Royals, keeping the former franchise under scrutiny months after it was expelled from the league amid suspected game-fixing and other alleged violations.
MPBL Commissioner Emmer Oreta said the case is now in the hands of the league’s legal team, with the investigation focused on identifying and holding accountable those responsible for any wrongdoing involving the former Iloilo squad.
“It’s now in the hands of our legal team. Hahabulin pa rin ito para managot ang mga may sala,” Oreta said.
The development signals that Iloilo’s expulsion from the MPBL did not end the controversy surrounding the franchise, as the league continues to pursue possible accountability over alleged violations committed during its participation.
The probe comes as the MPBL also investigates the Bacolod MassKara controversy, which recently resulted in the franchise’s expulsion and lifetime suspensions for its players and coaches under the league’s Red Card system.
The United Royals were stripped of their MPBL membership in June after abandoning their participation in the 2026 season.
Iloilo forfeited its scheduled game against Negros on June 17 and subsequently failed to give the league a firm commitment that it would play its June 24 matchup against Pasig.
The MPBL eventually revoked the franchise, saying the United Royals violated their franchise agreement and league rules by abandoning their obligations and participation in the competition.
Following the revocation, the league also declared all games played by Iloilo during the 2026 season void.
The latest development leaves the former United Royals franchise facing potential legal consequences beyond its expulsion as the MPBL intensifies efforts to determine responsibility for suspected game-fixing and other violations linked to the team./PN
