MPBL welcomes two more members

Two more teams are seeing action in the third season of the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League with Bicol and Mindoro formally welcomed as the 27th and 28th teams by no less than league founder Sen. Manny Pacquiao last Saturday night.

The Volcanoes of Bicol, who have already signed ex-PBA players Alex Nuyles and Ronjay Buenafe, will be coached by Monel Kallos, while the Tamaraws of Mindoro are still in the process of forming their team for the Lakandula Cup that kicks off on June 12 at Mall of Asia Arena.

League commissioner Kenneth Duremdes also announced several changes in the management of teams that missed out on the playoffs last season.

The Mandaluyong El Tigre will now be handled by former PBA player Banjo Calpito, while the Pasig Pirates will now be called the Sta. Lucia Land-Pasig Realtors following the entry of Exequiel Robles as owner. Robles used to own the Sta. Lucia franchise in the PBA.

Duremdes also bared plans to hold games overseas with a possible match in the United Arab Emirates and Oman lined up.