Push Admin

MPBL: Commissioner Duremdes explains reason behind scrapping 2020-2021 season

Article (news)

Dennis Gasgonia, ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2020/life/06/02/20200602-commissioner-duremdes-gc.jpg"/><figcaption>Commissioner Kenneth Duremdes said many in the MPBL family won&#x27;t play unless there&#x27;s a COVID-19 vaccine already. George Calvelo, ABS-CBN News/file</figcaption></figure></div>Player safety and time constraints forced the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) to reschedule its 2020-2021 season, commissioner Kenneth Duremdes said. &quot;Karamihan sa kanila nagsabing, &#x27;No vaccine, no play,&#x27; muna. Karamihan &#x27;yun ang comment,&quot; he told ABS-CBN News Tuesday.The league is composed of 31 teams, and having to subject all of them to strict anti-COVID-19 measures will pose logistical challenges.&quot;Kasi nakikita namin, mahihirapan din talaga ang mga teams, lalo na kami sa MPBL. Biruin mo naman ang safety measures na kailangan namin dyan,&quot; explained Duremdes.&quot;Iche-check mo sila palagi, itetest palagi, ika-quarantine mo. Mahirap, and aside from that &#x27;yung mga LGUs hindi pa ready i-open ang facility for us. Karamihan n&#x27;yan ginagamit pa for quarantine ang mga gymnasiums nila.&quot;<ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/06/02/20/mpbls-fourth-season-postponed-to-2021">READ: MPBL&#x27;s fourth season postponed to 2021</a></li></ul>Another reason for the cancellation is the time required for them to complete one whole season.It takes at least 8 months for the league founded by Sen. Manny Pacquiao to finish all its games.&quot;Noong una cinancel na muna natin ang opening, which is June 12 dahil wala na talagang chance. Pero kung October, November mag-start, hindi rin namin matatapos ang season, kapusin kami sa oras,&quot; said Duremdes, who plans to restart activities next year.<div>PLANS FOR THE REST OF 2020?</div>Duremdes said that, for now, the league plans to finish the rest of the Lakan Season once the government allows them to play. San Juan is to face Makati in the North Finals while Davao Occidental will square off with Basilan in the South Finals. Both best-of-3 series are tied at 1-all with the winners then advancing to the championship round with a similar format.<ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://sports.abs-cbn.com/mpbl/news/2020/06/02/mpbl-still-hoping-push-lakan-cup-year-68544">READ: MPBL still hoping to push through with Lakan Cup this year; next season opens 2021</a></li></ul>Duremdes also said there is a plan to hold a pre-season or pocket tournaments to replace the 2020-2021 MPBL season.&quot;Kung may vaccine na at allowed na ang contact sports, may mga preseason tournaments. Gagawa kami ng pocket tournaments for them. Meron kaming mga tournament for Northern Luzon, Manila teams, South teams,&quot; he said.<div>LEAVE OF ABSENCE</div>Duremdes acknowledged that Cebu and Pasay have formally submitted a request to take a leave of absence due to financial reasons.&quot;Nakikita naman natin sa business side, lahat naman apektado ng pandemic,&quot; he said, adding that Casino Alcohol, Cebu&#x27;s sponsor, wants to realign the team budget to increase the production of alcohol, which experienced an upsurge in demand due to the virus.But the commissioner said there is no longer a need for teams to take a leave since the season has been scrapped.&quot;Next year na kami magho-hold ng league, kasi lahat naman talaga apektado. Ang akala nila mag-se-start ng June na, pero hindi &#x27;yun ang priority ng liga, dahil health ang priority ng liga. Naghi-heal din muna sila, hopefully maka-recover din ang mga team owners natin from the pandemic,&quot; he said.For more sports coverage, visit the <a href="https://sports.abs-cbn.com/">ABS-CBN Sports website</a>.

The MPBL is composed of 31 teams, and having to subject all of them to strict anti-COVID-19 measures will pose logistical challenges, the commissioner said.

The MPBL is composed of 31 teams, and having to subject all of them to strict anti-COVID-19 measures will pose logistical challenges, the commissioner said.

MPBL: Commissioner Duremdes explains reason behind scrapping 2020-2021 season

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

Traffic

Manila

Horoscope

Sports

MPBL: Commissioner Duremdes explains reason behind scrapping 2020-2021 season

Dennis Gasgonia,

ABS-CBN News

Published Jun 02, 2020 08:47 PM PHT

|

Updated Jun 02, 2020 10:02 PM PHT

Read More:

coronavirus

COVID-19

MPBL

Kenneth Duremdes

Manny Pacquiao

Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.