Chooks-to-Go MPBL taking steps to turn pro
MANILA---The Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) will have some major changes once it gets back up and running next month with an invitational tournament.
With Chooks-to-Go being tapped by league founder Manny Pacquiao to take care of the league’s operations, the MPBL will undergo several changes, the most noteworthy of which is its decision to turn professional. It will also be getting accreditation from the International Basketball Federation.
“Chooks-to-Go’s involvement is a little bit more expanded (after) coming from a title sponsorship. Now, Chooks-toGo holds league operations. This will still be done in cooperation and partnership with both our league founder Sen. Manny Pacquiao and the office of commissioner Kenneth Duremdes. There will also be meetings with our team managers, league officials, and the Games and Amusements Board regarding this matter. There will be changes but these changes will all be good for the league. Side-by-side, that’s what we’ll do,” said Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas spokesperson Mark Zambrano.
Another welcome development is the eradication of the height limit restriction for Filipinoforeigners that will participate in the league. As long as the player has a Philippine passport, he will be eligible to play.
Previously, Fil-foreigners above 6-foot-5 were not allowed to play in the league. Restrictions on the number of homegrown players and “expros” have also been r emoved.
Commissioner Duremdes will still retain his position. And he is embracing the sweeping changes the MPBL is set to undergo. “First of all, we are thankful to all the team owners and, of course, Chooks-toGo, for this new partnership. We both have a common goal, which is to help our players reach their potential. There are players who are really struggling during the pandemic. Patience is indeed a virtue, and we’re just waiting for the right time for the MPBL to reignite its league. This is the best time that’s been long awaited for by our fans and players alike,” he sai d.
A total of 13 teams have already given the green light on their participation for the Chooks-to-Go MPBL Invitational Tournament set from Dec. 11 to 21 either at Caloocan Sports Complex, the Ynares Sports Arena in Antipolo, or Sta. Rosa Sports Complex in Laguna. Also joining them are the Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards, the Makati Super Crunch, the GenSan Warriors, the Caloocan Supremos, the Sarangani Marlins, the Rizal Golden CoolersXentro Mall, the Marikina Shoemasters, the Laguna Heroes, the Bicol Volcanoes, the Imus Bandera, the Negros Mascuvados, and a team from Bacolod. (JNP)