Romwel Anzures

SportsPlus President & CEO Andre Uy, MPBL Founder Manny Pacquiao, MPBL Commissioner Emmerson Oreta. Handout photo.

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ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17718373164103.jpeg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">SportsPlus President &amp; CEO Andre Uy, MPBL Founder Manny Pacquiao, MPBL Commissioner Emmerson Oreta. <em>Handout photo.</em></span></span></span>MANILA — As the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) gears up for its eighth season in April, it is intensifying its crackdown on game-fixing to further safeguard the integrity of the league.</div><p>MPBL CEO and founder Manny Pacquiao emphasized this on Monday during the league’s partnership signing with SportsPlus in Mandaluyong, saying they have been relentless in policing teams, entities, and players allegedly involved in game-fixing activities.</p><p>“Ongoing ang mga kaso ngayon sa game fixing. Milyon-milyon ang ginagastos ko para ituloy yung mga kaso,” said the boxing legend.</p><p>Pacquiao stressed that integrity remains at the forefront of the league’s vision, which is why specific groups have been tasked with meticulously reviewing every game day.</p><p>“Ngayon, mas pinaigting ko pa yung pagbabantay para sa mga pumasok sa game fixing,” he said. “Bawat game, bawat araw, may team tayo na magre-review. Ie-evaluate yung performance ng players para ma-sala talaga.”</p><p>“Matakot kayo na pasukin ang game fixing. Maliit lang naman yung kamay ko,” Pacquiao quipped.<strong></strong><br/></p><div><br/></div><div><strong>Yellow card, Red card</strong></div><p>Since its inception in 2018, the MPBL has banned 47 individuals — including players, coaches, and team managers — and the league is prepared to expand that list should further violations occur.</p><p>“Hindi lang penalty. Pwede silang ma-ban,” Pacquiao said. “Nagi-issue kami ng yellow card para sa under investigation. Warning yun, nakatutok sa’yo. Kapag hindi ka nagpakatino, bibigyan ka ng red card. Hindi na sila makakalaro, banned na sila sa MPBL.”</p><p>To further strengthen the campaign against game-fixing, MPBL Commissioner Emmerson Oreta added that the league is also working on a resolution with the Games and Amusement Board (GAB).</p><p>As for the partnership with sportsbook SportsPlus, Pacquiao maintained that the collaboration should not raise concerns, saying the gaming platform also helps monitor irregularities.</p><p>“Katulong din natin silang magbantay sa game fixing. I’m sure, walang makakalusot,” Pacquiao said.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEOS:</strong><br/><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Wofm-h968dE?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/vxyKVEKZ9hw?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>As the MPBL gears up for its eighth season in April, it is intensifying its crackdown on game-fixing to further safeguard the integrity of the league.</p>

As the MPBL gears up for its eighth season in April, it is intensifying its crackdown on game-fixing to further safeguard the integrity of the league.

Pacquiao, MPBL to double down on stopping game-fixing ahead of 2026 season

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Pacquiao, MPBL to double down on stopping game-fixing ahead of 2026 season

Rom Anzures,

ABS-CBN News

Published February 23, 2026 05:37 PM PHT

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