Simple ceremonies mark Chooks MPBL Invitational opener

 

After a couple of years, the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League is back, with milestones on tap for its return.

The league is set to have its first games since its bubble experience in Subic to close out the Rajah Cup, and with their official transition as a professional league, they will be the first league to officially open its doors to fans since the pandemic began to take root.

Bounty Agro Ventures, Inc. president Ronald Mascarinas highlighted these when he addressed the crowd inside the Mall of Asia Arena.

He shares, "Ang aming munting kumpanya dahil sa wakas ay makakalaro na rin tayo sa wakas sa harap ng ating basketball fans. Kami nila Senador Manny Pacquiao, Commissioner Kenneth Duremdes, ay tapos pusong nagpapasalamat sa kagalang-galang na mayor ng Pasay City. Mayor Calixto Rubiano na pinaunlakan ang kagustuhan ng mga fans ng live basketball action."

The Chooks-to-Go boss continues, "Sa tulong ng ating chairman ng GAB Baham Mitra, ang ating liga ngayon ay propesyonal na. Magbibigay ito ng mas maayos na kabuhayan sa ating mga manlalaro at game officials." He also notes, "Pero may kaakibat ito na malaking responsibilidad dahil kayo ngayon ay tumatayong ehemplo ng kabataan upang ipakita ang totoong diwa ng sportsmanship. Play hard but most importantly play fair."

League founder Manny Pacquiao graced the proceedings as the guest of honor, and highlighted the MPBL's newfound status alongside the Games and Amusements Board in curbing the threat of game-fixing.

"Sa kabila ng ating pinagdadaanan, narito ako sa inyong harapan upang muling buksan ang mahal nating Chooks-to-Go Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League," said the senator. "Ang pagsasanib pwersa ng Chooks-to-Go at MPBL upang muling buhayin at itaas ang antas ng Philippine basketball. At sa mga susunod na buwan, mag-iikot kami sa mga kapuluan upang mas mailapit sa inyo ang tunay na liga ng bawat Pilipino."

"Bago pa ang lahat, muli akong nagpapaalala na walang lugar o puwang ang game-fixing dito sa liga ng bawat Pilipino. Sa mga nagtatangka na pumasok o pasukan ng game-fixing, huwag niyo kong subukan. Masyadong mataas ang aking respeto sa larong basketball at sa sports. Pahalagahan natin ang laro na nagbibigay saya at kabuhayan sa mas maraming Pilipino."

The simple ceremonies featured the parade of the 22 teams participating in the tournament, as well as an appearance by Tokyo 2020 bronze medalist Eumir Marcial and a performance by Aicelle Santos-Zambrano.