The MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) goes to the Calasiao Sports Complex in Pangasinan for the opening of the MPBL Sixth Season on Saturday, April 6.
Inaugural games pit Zamboanga Family’s Brand Sardines against Valenzuela at 6 p.m., followed by the 8 p.m. tussle between newcomers Abra and Pangasinan.
MPBL Founder Manny Pacquiao will grace the opening ceremonies of the country’s top regional league. Expected to join boxing’s only eight-division world champion are Pangasinan’s key officials, including Gov. Ramon Guico, Alaminos City Mayor Arth Bryan Celeste and former Bayambang mayor Cezar Quiambao.
On April 8, the MPBL follows its regular 6-day weekly schedule with a tripleheader at the Kamalig Coliseum in Orion, Bataan. Bicol battles Mindoro at 4 p.m., Marikina tests Negros at 6 p.m. and Sarangani battles Bataan at 8 p.m.
Each of the 30 teams split into the North and South divisions are competing in this year’s nine-month tournament, led by reigning MPBL national champion Pampanga, will be represented by their muses and key personnel in the parade of teams ushering the welcome program starting at 4 p.m.
Pampanga heads the North division also composed of 2022 national champion Nueva Ecija, MPBL Datu Cup titlist San Juan, Caloocan, Marikina, Bataan, Tarlac, Manila, Valenzuela, Quezon City, Pangasinan, Abra, Bulacan, Rizal and Pasay.
Comprising the South division are Batangas, South Cotabato (GenSan), Zamboanga, Quezon Province, Muntinlupa Iloilo, Sarangani, Negros, Mindoro, Binan (Laguna), Bicol, Bacolod, Imus, Paranaque and Davao Occidental, the MPBL Lakan Season champion returning after a two-year hiatus.
Key MPBL officials will also be present, headed by MPBL Commissioner Kenneth Duremdes, Chief Executive Officer Joe Ramos, Head of Operations Emmer Oreta, Legal Counsel Atty. Glenn Gacal, Technical Head George Magsino and Chief of Security Rudy Distrito.
After the single-round robin of the 38 teams, the top eight from each division will advance to the quarterfinal round of the tournament that will end in December.
