MPBL to hold invitational tourney with 22 teams

Chooks-to-Go Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) is set to hold an invitational tournament with 22 teams which aims to 're-ignite' the league which had a long break due to the COVID-19 lockdowns.

MPBL commissioner Kenneth Duremdes, in a virtual forum with the Philippine Sportswriters Association on Tuesday, said the invitational league will be held on December 11-21 and they are eyeing the Mall of Asia Arena to be its venue.

According to Duremdes, FIBA and the Games and Amusements Board will also be monitoring the conduct of the tournament.

"They will check how we will run the tournament. GAB will closely monitor under their guidance," he said in Filipino.

The 22 teams which will play in the tournament are Negros Mascuvados, San Juan, Laguna, Caloocan, Sarangani, Bicol, Rizal, Nueva Ecija, Imus, Makati, General Santos, Bacolod, Marikina, Iloilo, Muntinlupa, Bacoor, Manila, Pasig, Valenzuela, Mindoro, Bulacan, and Basilan.

Duremdes said they are considering a FIBA-style tournament where they will be divided into four groups and the top two teams of each group will advance to the next round. Games are also expected to start at 9 a.m.

If allowed by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Duremdes said they will allow fans inside the venue.

The MPBL commissioner also said they will also impose health and safety protocols, with the league opting for a closed-circuit format and those playing should be fully vaccinated.

"We're ready. I hope the fans are excited for our opening. This is what we call a reignition since we're gone for a long time," Duremdes said in Filipino.

MPBL also plans to hold a preseason tournament in February 2022 before it officially opens on June 12.

—Justin Kenneth Carandang/JMB, GMA News