MBL expands with 18 teams from private, public sector
The second Makabansa Basketball League (MBL) kicked off recently in ceremonies at the Meralco Fitness Center in Pasig.
Presented under the auspices of the MVP Sports Foundation, Inc. and the Metro Pacific Investments Corp., and powered by Kings of the Court, the MBL is the brainchild of Meralco head of local government affairs and special projects Oscar “Jang” Moreno Jr.
The MBL, a basketball tournament involving teams from different government offices and private groups, was formed to promote health and wellness, and foster camaraderie among the participants. Through sportsmanship and healthy competition, the MBL aims to solidify partnerships in and among the public and private sectors to better serve the public.
“Sports is important in nation building,” said Moreno, when asked why he formed the league. “As Filipinos are passionate about basketball, we use this to create cohesiveness and solidify business partnerships by fostering camaraderie.”
Gracing the opening rites were TV 5 network president Vincent Chot Reyes for the private sector, and DILG USec Epimaco Densing III and Special Prosecutor Edilberto Sandoval of the Office of the Ombudsman for the public sector.
The MBL Season 2 drew 18 – 14 from the public sector and four from the private sector.
They are the Meralco Linemen, SMART Dream Team, the Judiciary members’ Justice League, House of Representatives Rulemakers, Tanodbayan Watchdogs, and COMELEC Sentinels (Bracket A); DENR Environmental Warriors, PLDT Digital, PNP Peacekeepers, DOJ Avengers, OSG Patriots, and PSA Pakitang Gilas (in Bracket B); and the Senate Advocates, NLEX Road Movers, MMDA D’ Enforcers, DILG Visionaries, Office of the President Kamao, and DOE Energizers (in Bracket C).