Filtered by: Sports
Sports

MPBL Invitational opens; San Juan, Bacolod, Imus among early winners


The Chooks-to-Go Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League Invitational kicked off on Saturday with an opening ceremony and a slate of games in front of fans at the Mall of Asia Arena.

The MPBL opened its tournament as a newly-minted professional league under the supervision of the Games and Amusements Board. Among those in attendance for their opening were Bounty Agro Ventures, Inc. president Ronald Mascarinas, league founder Manny Pacquiao, league commissioner Kenneth Duremdes, and GAB chairman Abraham ‘Baham’ Mitra.

2020 Tokyo Olympics bronze medalist Eumir Marcial carried the Philippine flag while Christelle Adiden led the singing of the Philippine national anthem. Aicelle Santos-Sembrano performed as part of the festivities.

Among the winners on opening day were San Juan-Go for Gold AICC, All-Star Bacolod Ballers, Imus Bandera-Buracai de Laiya, and Basilan-Jumbo Plastic Medical Depot.

San Juan opened the invitational with a 97-64 blowout win over Val City-MJAS Zenith behind a 27-point performance from Orlan Wamar, including seven three-pointers. Bacolod also entered the win column after squeaking past the Bacoor Strikers, 73-71 while Imus cruised to a 75-65 victory over the Bulacan Kuyas. Basilan capped off the opening day with a win over the Aldin Ayo-coached Bicol Volcanoes-LCC Mall, 70-65.

—JMB, GMA News