By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
The Chooks-to-Go Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) is now officially a professional league.
After three years of operations under a sports amateur status, one of the best leagues in the country just received their pro accreditation approved by the Games and Amusements Board (GAB).
“It’s such an honor for all of us to have you. Madaming nangyari sa GAB over the past few years pero this is one of the biggest,” said GAB chairman Abraham Mitra during the ceremony in their office in Makati City.
Since MPBL’s first season in 2017, the league maintained its amateur status and wasn’t able to resume their season easily unlike the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA).
MPBL’s first taste as a professional league will be during the start of the 2021 Chooks-to-Go MPBL Invitational Tournament from December 11 to 23 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
22 teams including the Iloilo United Royals have officially confirmed their participation and will vie for the coveted championship trophy and the 2 million-pesos grand prize money.
“Over the last two years, the players have been praying for the league to resume. During those two years, the league had time to re-assess our direction. Through perseverance and patience, nandito na tayo. We are back with the help of our partner Chooks-to-Go and the guidance of GAB,” said MPBL commissioner Kenneth Duremdes.
