Top teams from MPBL, NBL, VisMin Cup to compete for national title

The Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL), National Basketball League-Pilipinas (NBL), and Pilipinas VisMin Super Cup will join forces and hold a league where its top teams will compete for a national title.

Chooks-to-Go head honcho Ronald Mascariñas made the announcement on Saturday, the Philippine Independence Day, and said this is their way of showing unity in their support for the local basketball scene.

The food and agri-products brand is the main backer of the MPBL, NBL, and VisMin Cup.

"Mula sa araw na ito, sama-sama naming ipapakita ang pagkakaisa at ipadama ang tunay na puso para sa pinakamamahal nating Pilipinas," he said in a virtual press conference.

"We're doing this primarily for the fans. Today, we stand together for Philippine basketball and the basketball fans," he added.

There are no specific details yet on how the league will be executed, however, Mascariñas said, "Kung paano gagawin ito, this has to be a collaborative effort. Pag-uusapan namin ng iba't ibang liga."

League officials Kenneth Duremdes (MPBL), Ed Aquino (NBL), and Rocky Chan (VisMin Cup) said they are excited with this development.

"Masaya kasi 'yung tatlong liga, lalabas 'yung talent ng players sa pagsali sa 'champions league,'" Aquino said.

Aside from the 'champions league,' Mascariñas said they will also open the Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3x3 league to all interested teams, including the Philippine Basketball Association.

"Together, we will pave the road for the 2024 Paris Olympics, while each team will have a chance to compete in the FIBA 3x3 Pro circuits."

MPBL, NBL, VisMin Cup, and WNBL updates

Meanwhile, in the same press conference, VisMin Cup's Chan announced that the regional league is tapping sports broadcaster and former Philippine Basketball League commissioner Chino Trinidad as its newest consultant.

Trinidad said he agreed to return to the local basketball scene after seeing the controversial VisMin Cup game between the Siquijor Mystics and the Lapu-Lapu Builders.

"When someone's committing wrongdoing, we should not let that pass," he said in Filipino.

"If we can help clean up Philippine basketball from those who want to destroy it, then it's one major reason why I am back in the local basketball scene," he added.

The Mindanao leg of the VisMin Cup is scheduled to tip off on June 22 with Pagadian City as its host.

MPBL, meanwhile, eyes a September opening for its Mumbaki Cup. The NBL and Women's NBL aim to open their leagues in July.

—Justin Kenneth Carandang/JMB, GMA News