MANILA – Teams from Bacolod City and Negros wanted to participate in the basketball league founded by boxing icon Manny Pacquiao.
They expressed interest in joining the second edition of the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League, which extends to Visayas and Mindanao after focusing on Luzon in the first edition.
“Mag-e-expand na tayo sa Visayas at Mindanao sa second conference,” Pacquiao said at the sidelines of the MPBL semifinals Tuesday night. “Madami na ang nag-express na gusto nila sumali.”
“Sa Mindanao, iyong Gen San Warriors at Davao Occidental. Sa Visayas naman, may Bacolod, Negros at iyong tatlong city sa Cebu, including iyong Lapu-Lapu,” he added.
It was not immediately clear which province in Negros – Occidental or Oriental – the team from the island will come from or if it will represent the entire island.
Ten teams participated in the league’s inaugural edition: Bataan Defenders, Batangas Tanduay Athletics, Bulacan Kuyas, Caloocan Supremos, Imus Bandera, Muntinlupa Cagers, Navotas Clutch, Paranaque Patriots, Quezon City Capitals, and Valenzuela Classics.
Recently at least five Metro Manila-based cities also signed up for the tournament – Pasig Rios Pirates, San Juan Knights, Laguna, Manila, and Team Rizal.
“Masaya tayo na madami pa ang nag-inquire na gustong sumali sa MPBL. Siguro nakita nila na maganda ang kinalabasan ng first conference natin,” said the eight-division world boxing champ.
“Nakikita ko na magiging parang NBA ito. Kung sa NBA, may Eastern at Western Conference, sa atin naman ay may North at South,” added the retired Kia Picanto playing coach./PN
