Sarangani latest team to join MPBL

General Santos City—Sarangani is the latest expansion team to join the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League.

On Wednesday, the team owned by Pastor Joel Dutaro, founder of KAPA Community Ministry International Inc., signed as an expansion member, making Sarangani the third province to sign as an expansion squad for the coming season of the fastest growing regional amateur basketball league in the country.

The Albay Volcanoes, owned by businessman Gil Orense and coached by Monel Kallos, and the Mindoro Tamaraws of coach Justin Tan, were the other expansion squads that have signed up so far.

“I think this is the first time that Sarangani will be represented,” said Dutaro in front of the local media who went to cover the signing of agreement at the Roadhauz Hotel here.    

Dutaro’s group was welcomed by MPBL commissioner Kenneth Duremdes, who was joined in the contract signing by operations head Zaldy Realubit and assistant commissioner Satar Macantal.

“This is a historic signing of the Sarangani Province in the MPBL. Kaya binibigyan natin ng importansya ‘yung LGU, isang rason dito ay pino-promote natin ‘yung province or city. Promoting the tourist attractions of the province is something which the LGU gets in return in tying up with a team. Makikita ng buong Pilipinas every time na may game ang Sarangani kung anong klaseng probinsiya ba sila,” added Duremdes.     

Following additional teams from the south, Realubit said they may be able to make some adjustments in terms of the bracketing of the teams as they intend some of the teams in the southern division to the north to maintain balance between two groups.

This means that teams like Marikina, Rizal, and Paranaque are likely to be moved to the northern division.