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Basketball: MPBL set to turn pro, seeks FIBA accreditation

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ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img alt="The Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League is taking steps to turn professional. Handout photo" src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2021/news/11/10/mpbl.jpg"/><figcaption>The Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League is taking steps to turn professional. Handout photo</figcaption></figure></div>MANILA, Philippines -- The Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) will undergo a major revamp ahead of its restart in December.MPBL founder and Senator Manny Pacquiao has already tasked Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas to run the league&#x27;s operations starting with an invitational tournament in December.More changes are on the horizon, as the regional league is also in the process of turning professional and acquiring accreditation from FIBA.&quot;There will be changes but these changes will all be good for the league. Side-by-side, &#x27;yun po ang gagawin natin,&quot; said Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas spokesperson Mark Zambrano.<ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/10/25/21/mpbl-operations-to-be-handled-by-chooks-to-go">READ: MPBL operations to be handled by Chooks-to-Go</a></li></ul>The MPBL will also ease the height limit restrictions on Filipino-foreign players. Previously, Fil-foreigners above 6-foot-5 were not allowed to play in the league.Now, for as long as the player has a Philippine passport, he will be eligible to play.&quot;There will also be meetings with our team managers, league officials, and the Games and Amusements Board regarding this matter,&quot; Zambrano said.Commissioner Kenneth Duremdes will still retain his position, and he is embracing the sweeping changes the MPBL is set to undergo.&quot;Unang-una, nagpapasalamat kami sa lahat ng team owners na dumalo and, of course, sa Chooks-to-Go na nagkaroon tayo ng panibagong partnership. We both have a common goal which is to help our players reach their potential,&quot; he said. &quot;May mga players na nag-struggle talaga this pandemic. Patience is a virtue talaga at naghintay ng tamang panahon ang MPBL para ma-reignite ang ating liga. &quot;This is the best time na matagal ng hinihintay ng ating mga fans at ng ating mga players,&quot; he added.Thirteen teams have already confirmed their participation for the Chooks-to-Go MPBL Invitational Tournament set from December 11-21 at either the Caloocan Sports Complex, the Ynares Sports Arena (Antipolo), or Sta. Rosa Sports Complex.Headlining the field are Chooks-to-Go MPBL Lakan season champion Davao Occidental Tigers.<ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/03/21/21/davao-occidental-rules-mpbl-lakan-cup">READ: Davao Occidental rules MPBL Lakan Cup</a></li></ul>Also joining them are the Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards, the Makati Super Crunch, the GenSan Warriors, the Caloocan Supremos, the Sarangani Marlins, the Rizal Golden Coolers-Xentro Mall, the Marikina Shoemasters, the Laguna Heroes, the Bicol Volcanoes, the Imus Bandera, the Negros Mascuvados, and a team from Bacolod.Other MPBL member teams who want to join the Invitationals are given a Wednesday afternoon deadline to make their decision. The final list of participating teams will be announced on Thursday.&quot;We are very, very happy na makakapag-start na ang league with the partnership of Chooks and the MPBL,&quot; said Makati team owner Paolo Orbeta. &quot;We would like to let everyone know that we are aligned with the goals of Chooks-to-Go MPBL. We needed this start para magtuloy-tuloy na for everyone. Maganda na we will have something to end the year on a positive note,&quot; he added.&quot;We are excited sa balik bola ng Chooks-to-Go and MPBL. It&#x27;s been two long years,&quot; said Rizal team manager Angie Azores. &quot;Sobrang dami naming natatanggap ng inquiries from the players. We are happy to be able to help them again and bring them back to the sport that they love.&quot;

The Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) will undergo a major revamp ahead of its restart in December.