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Pacquiao launches Junior MPBL for young basketball hopefuls from grassroots

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Katrina Domingo, ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img alt="Then Sen. Sen. Manny Pacquiao during the MPBL opening in December 2021. Handout photo" src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2021/life/12/11/20211211-pacquiao-leads-the-mpbl-handout.jpg"/><figcaption>Then Sen. Sen. Manny Pacquiao during the MPBL opening in December 2021. <em>Handout photo</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>MANILA — Former senator and boxing champion Manny Pacquiao on Thursday launched the Junior Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL), touting the tournament as a venue to discover young basketball talents from the grassroots.</p><p>“Itong Junior MPBL na mag-start na ngayong July ay magbibigay ng chance para ma-discover natin yung mga homegrown, mga grassroots na mga bata na mahilig talaga sa basketball,” Pacquiao said in a speech.</p><p>“Itong Junior MPBL ay big opportunity para sa ating mga kabataan na ma-showcase yung talents nila sa basketball at maiiwas sila sa masasamang bisyo,” he added.</p><p>Seventeen teams from Metro Manila and Calabarzon will be competing in the league, with age groups for 14, 16 and 18-year-old players.</p><p>“Alam mo, ang mga Pilipino, talagang mahilig sa basketball. Kaya dito pa lang sa mga kabataan, bigyan na natin sila ng chance. I-accommodate natin sila. That’s why this Junior MPBL will accommodate them na ma-showcase yung talent nila sa basketball,” Pacquiao said.</p><p>“We sincerely hope and wish the best for our youth… not only in playing basketball but all the more in their life,” he said.</p><p>The boxer-turned-politician said he is also working to launch the Maharlika Pilipinas Volleyball League (MPVL) for female athletes.</p><div><strong>FROM THE ARCHIVE</strong></div><figure class="op-interactive"><iframe height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/oMi0vQg024k?enablejsapi=1" width="560"></iframe></figure><div class="iwantbar">Watch more News on <a href="https://www.iwanttfc.com/#!/browse/Genres/News/tag_id_genres/id_news" target="_blank">iWantTFC</a></div>

Former senator Manny Pacquiao launched the Junior MPBL, touting the tournament as a venue to discover young basketball talents from the grassroots.

Pacquiao launches Junior MPBL for young basketball hopefuls from grassroots

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Pacquiao launches Junior MPBL for young basketball hopefuls from grassroots

Katrina Domingo,

ABS-CBN News

Published June 16, 2023 01:14 AM PHT

Read More:

Manny Pacquiao

MPBL

Junior MPBL

Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League

basketball

sports

Pacquiao

Pacman

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