By Denniel Nicole Dioneo and Paul David Gelario
The Makabansa Basketball League opened its second season with five new teams at the Meralco Fitness Center in Pasig City last Sept. 29.
The five new teams from the 18-team roster are the PSA Pakitang Gilas, DOE Energizers, Comelec Sentinels, Tanodbayan Watchdogs and Office of the President Kamao.
Kings of the Court founder Cholo Legisma introduced the new format of MBL.
“The teams are ranked according to last year’s performance. As you can see, the champions Senate Advocates are separated (by bracket) with DENR, the third seed, and with Meralco, the fourth seed,” Legisma said.
The five new teams were spread across the brackets via drawing of lots.
“The tournament will have a standard round robin. Each team will have five games, they will face opponents each from their respective brackets,” Legisma added. “To refresh the returning teams and to address the new teams, the top four teams will advance to the round of 12. We will have 12 teams, number one will face number 12; number two will face number 11, and so on.”
The winners of Round 12 will then advance to the Round of 6, before the victors march to the Round of 3. There will be a standard round robin between the three remaining teams.
The top two teams will advance to the finals in a best-of-three series.
Top three teams will receive cash prizes that will be donated to charity.
“We do not need to be a champion to enjoy the game,” MBL Commissioner Rebo Sagisag said. “‹ “‹