Philippines, 13 May 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Support this genuine Pinoy Basketbol league


PhilBoxing.com




ONE report yesterday said ?people behind the success of the Batangas Athletics-Tanduay in the MPBL Anta Rajah Cup never expected the team to go that far.?

The Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League is a regional men?s professional basketball tournament organized and launched by world boxing legend Manny Pacquiao last August.

Batangas bagged the MPBL Cup by winning 3-1 in its best-of-five title series against Muntinlupa Cagers-Angelis Resort.

Two sportsmen behind the Batangas team, former mayor Dondon Dimacuha and squad sponsor Lucio ?Bong? Tan Jr. were overjoyed. Dimacuha said they harbored no big expectations when they formed the Batangas team.

**

When the MPBL had its inaugural event last year, there was a grand opening with great attendance.

The league featured both a regional commercial and barangay level format. Teams on the commercial level were allowed to have a home locality in addition to a home sponsor.

Just the same, doubts were raised on how the MPBL could succeed relying heavily on faded former PBA pros.

**

There were those who thought Manny Paquiao had taken a blind gamble.

The initial success of the MPBL warmed the heart of Sen. Pacquiao, a dedicated basketball devotee.

Fans all over the country were happy and thankful in having what they believe will be a national league belonging to the loyal native players serving Pinoy Basketbol.

MPBL appears ready and willing to take in more available native talents, including those coming from obscure tournaments in the grassroots.

**

Sen. Pacquiao has decided to come up with a national league at a time when both the PBA and the national team, under the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP), have been left at the mercy of imports and assorted alien participants.

Paquiao did not say it, but the MPBL must be his way of giving Philippine basketball back to the genuine Pinoy basketeer.

For the record, the rampant bastardization of Philippine basketball came about after the PBA decided to take-in a horde of Fil-Am players in the mid 90?s, following the formation of the Metropolitan Basketball Association (MBA).

That knee-jerk reaction by the PBA has resulted in the unabated deterioration of Philippine basketball.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Recah Trinidad.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • WBC president Mauricio Sulaimán on Barcelona-Real Madrid La Liga finals
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 12 May 2026
  • Canadian Cruiserweight Contender Ryan Rozicki Fires Warning Shot at Chris Billam-Smith Ahead of Zuffa Boxing 07 showdown on June 6
    , Tue, 12 May 2026
  • Judgement Day coming this Friday In Germany for Paddy Donovan
    , Tue, 12 May 2026
  • Six Rounds to Silence the Magic Man: Why Rolando Dy is Malignaggi’s Worst Nightmare
    By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, , Mon, 11 May 2026
  • The Eternal Contender: Inside Nonito Donaire’s Record-Breaking Title Run
    By Dong Secuya, , Mon, 11 May 2026
  • Boxing trio reunited up there
    By Joaquin Henson, , Mon, 11 May 2026
  • 1st CK Ingles Chess Kings Set to Kick Off
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 11 May 2026
  • Zhu Outguns "The Assassin" Ian Abne in Cebu Thriller, Earns Shot at IBF Champ Taduran
    By Carlos Costa, , Sun, 10 May 2026
  • Arañas Survives Harsh Knockdown, Stops Noynay to Claim WBF Strap in Cebu (Fist of Fury X Results)
    By Carlos Costa, , Sun, 10 May 2026
  • Mindoro faces strong Mexican opponent
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 10 May 2026
  • Blood, Grit, and Iron: Zhu Outlasts Abne in a Cebu War
    By Dong Secuya, , Sun, 10 May 2026
  • Tickets ON SALE NOW for Abdullah Mason-Joe Cordina at Cleveland State University’s Wolstein Center
    , Sat, 09 May 2026
  • IM Jan Emmanuel Garcia bags gold in ASEAN E-Sports chess qualifying round
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 09 May 2026
  • Wardley vs Dubois: Heavyweight Tussle in Manchester
    By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 09 May 2026
  • Fireworks Expected as Cebu's Arañas and Noynay Rumble for WBF Silver Belt
    By Carlos Costa, , Sat, 09 May 2026
  • Keyshawn Davis: "Nahir Albright’s Going To Be the Fourth Guy I Stop in a Row!"
    , Sat, 09 May 2026
  • Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaiman: Cinco De Mayo, A Historic Celebration Of Boxing
    By Mauricio Sulaimán, , Fri, 08 May 2026
  • Abne, Zhu Make Weight for IBF Eliminator in Cebu; Winner Fights Taduran
    By Carlos Costa, , Fri, 08 May 2026
  • IBA presents stacked fight card for May 21 event in Mexico City
    , Fri, 08 May 2026
  • Laurente to promote amateur boxing
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 08 May 2026
  • Heavyweight Gustavo Trujillo Has a New Date Returns May 30 at War Memorial Auditorium in Fort Lauderdale
    , Fri, 08 May 2026
  • Toro Promotions & Whitfield Haydon Officially Announce ‘Sizzling Summer Boxing Series’
    , Fri, 08 May 2026
  • Jean Henri Lhuillier Drives ASAPHIL’s Winning System Through Long-Term Vision and Coaching Continuity
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 08 May 2026
  • Dy ready to face Malignaggi in BKB on May 16
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 07 May 2026
  • ‘A younger lion always comes for that old lions spot. Your time is up, GET OUT OF MY WAY! – Manny Ritti challenges former ONE FC World Champion Nobutsu Suzuki May 29 in Perth – Thunderdome 54
    , Thu, 07 May 2026




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2026 philboxing.com.