Fifth MPBL season draws 30 teams

The Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) returns for its fifth season on March 10 together with old partner OKBet, which also acquired the rights to the Makati Kings that made sure it would be an even 30-team field contesting the championship.

Manny Pacquiao, the eight-division boxing champ and league founder, attended the “Together, we rise” season launch and renewal of partnership with the gaming platform as the MPBL will continue to provide another avenue for the thousands of Filipino cagers dreaming to make it all the way to the big league.

This will be the first full season for the league since COVID-19 shuttered all of sports in the country. Only the Lakan Championship was played last year when most rebooted sports and leagues were played in bubbles.

“OKBet shares our goals to provide more opportunities to aspiring talents from all over the country,” said Pacquiao, who also had a brief sting playing for KIA in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) before coming up with the idea of this community-based league. “I look forward to continue working with OKBet.”

The Kings, meanwhile, will be handled by former PBA players Don Dulay and Rob Wainwright, who have called for tryouts in an effort to come up with a competitive team in time for the opening ceremonies.

Since supporting the MPBL last season, OKBet has also launched its “Play It Forward” sports development program.