Duremdes: MPBL eager to complete season in bubble
MAHARLIKA Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) Commissioner Kenneth Duremdes is open to the idea of following the lead of Philippine Basketball Association’s (PBA) planned bubble for the league to resume its season that was canceled by the Covid-19 pandemic.
The PBA Legend Duremdes said the MPBL intends to observe the pro league’s bubble and its accompanying protocols and if they work, he won’t hesitate to do the same.
“We’ll look at the PBA model because they are the professional league in the country and we see them as the lead in basketball here in the country,” Duremdes told the online Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum on Tuesday.
“Our [MPBL] founder, Senator Manny Pacquiao, said it’s a must for us to finish the national finals of the Lakan Season,” he said.
The tournament is down to the last four teams with San Juan and Makati in the North division, and Basilan and Davao Occidental in the South. Both best-of-three series are tied at 1-1. The winners will move on to the best-of-five National finals.
Because of its status as a professional league, the PBA, along with the Philippine Football League and the Chooks-to-go 3x3 League, were allowed to resume practices under strict protocols.
The PBA is finalizing the details of its National Basketball Association-style bubble where all 12 teams will stay for the remainder of the Philippine Cup.
Duremdes told the session presented by San Miguel Corp. Go For Gold, Milo, Amelie Hotel Manila, Braska Restaurant and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. and powered by Smart with Upstream Media said a number of local government units have expressed their willingness to host the final stage of the Lakan Season.
The MPBL, he said, is seriously considering an offer from former Sen. Jinggoy Estrada for the use of the family’s private property and resort in Tanay, Rizal.