With integrity as top priority, MPBL upbeat with new partner for upcoming season

MANILA, Philippines — The Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) ushers in a “new era” for a bigger, grander 8th Season featuring a bevy of stars from the UAAP and NCAA with new title sponsor in national team patron SportsPlus.

The MPBL will open its new season on April 11 featuring an expected cast of 30 teams led by the rejigged Caloocan set to be reinforced by former collegiate stars Kean Baclaan of La Salle, as well as Filipino-Americans Kymani Ladi and Dom Escobar of Ateneo among the few.

And in time for that, the MPBL led by CEO and founder Manny Pacquiao on Monday sealed a title sponsors partnership with SportsPlus that also backs the Philippine Olympic Committee, vowing to elevate the fast-growing league level in terms of competition, officiating and, most especially – integrity.

“When we started the MPBL, the vision was simple and that’s to bring pro basketball closer to the Filipinos, to the cities and provinces that breathe the game. Now, we take it then next level,” said Pacquiao during the media launch at the Gameville Ball Park in Mandaluyong.

“This marks a new era for the MPBL. This is about collaboration and aligning brands that believe in excellence, integrity and nationwide impact. This is a defining moment not only for the MPBL but for Philippine basketball. The work continues and the vision gets bigger. The best is yet to come.”

The MPBL-SportsPlus tie-up includes programs and projects for the development of grassroots basketball, especially with the presence of Junior MPBL, and the enhancement of fan experience on-site during games or online through creative social media content creations.

“Proud kami na suportahan ang MPBL as one of the fastest rising leagues in the country. Like our partnership with the POC, naniniwala ang SportsPlus sa sports development sa Pinas, from grassroots to the professional level,” said CEO and president Andre Uy of SportsPlus, the country's premier sportsbook licensed by the Philippine Amusement ang Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR).

“Gusto naming tumulong na gumawa ng mas maraming opportunities para sa mga atleta, palakasin lalo ang basketball community at mag-contribute sa sustainable ecosystem ng Philippine sports. For us, this is a collaboration rooted in shared goal and long-term vision para mas lalong mataguyod ang Philippine basketball for 2026 and beyond.”

The partnership, with supervision from PAGCOR and the Games and Amusement Board (GAB), also includes a concrete collaboration aimed at ensuring fair play and integrity, especially amid the growing game-fixing allegations by players, coaches and teams in recent years.

Since its foundation in 2018, the MPBL has already banned 47 players caught in game-fixing after a series of investigations, including a Senate hearing in 2024.

“We had a meeting with GAB. We are planning to do a resolution para masugpo itong game fixing. One of the plans of SportsPlus is to help us. It’s the most important and we owe it to our fans. We share the same commitment for professionalism, integrity and growing the game the right way,” said MPBL commissioner and former player Emmerson Oreta.

And this early before everyone gets their feet wet in the highly anticipated season opener, Pacquiao has issued a stern warning to whoever attempts to taint the game in the MPBL which also hints at international expansion this year in Asia.

“Matakot kayo kasi maliit lang naman ang kamay ko,” warned the former senator and eight-division world boxing champion.“I want everyone – lahat ng players, coaches and teams – na as founder, nandito ako laging nakanbantay para pangalagaan ‘yung integrity at pangalan ng MPBL, ng ating liga. Wag nyo na pasukin ‘yung game fixing na ‘yan dahil masisira lang ang buhay nyo.”

“Kayo lang ang magagamit ng mga nagsisindikato diyan. Masisira ang integridad nyo lalot’ nagta-trabaho kayo para suportahan ang mga pamilya nyo. Huwag kayong matakot magsumbong samin at kami na bahala na mag-take action sa illegal na game-fixing na ‘yan,” he added.

“Sana magtulungan tayong lahat. ‘Yun ang sinisikap natin para ‘yung excitement ay mabigay natin sa bayan at ‘yung larong gustong makita ng mga kababayan natin.”