MPBL’s 1st triple-header slated today

After three seasons, the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League has scheduled its first triple-header which will happen on Tuesday at the Navotas Sports Complex.

The home team Clutch will host the Rizal Golden Coolers in the main game at 9 p.m. right after the first two matches, which feature three teams trying to get into the win column.

Biñan City battles Quezon City at 6:30 p.m. as both teams try to bounce back from separate losses. Formerly known as the Laguna Krah-Heroes, Biñan City is aching to atone from its 75-62 loss to the Bataan Risers.

The Capitals, on the other hand, are still licking the wounds of their 86-85 heartbreaking loss to the Manila Stars.

General Santos City will take on Marikina in the curtain raiser at 4 p.m. The Warriors, now being backed by Burlington, are looking for a fitting follow-up victory as they are fresh from their morale boosting 81-77 win over the Bulacan Kuyas and want to score two in a row, this time against the slumping Shoemasters, who have yet to win after two games.

League commissioner Kenneth Duremdes said the MPBL has now taken steps on how to shorten the season, especially now that there are 30 teams competing in the fastest growing regional amateur event put up by Senator Manny Pacquiao.

Having a triple-header six days a week would definitely shorten a season that is expected to narrow down to nine months from a projected year-long event.

Aside from having more games scheduled, the league has also inked a deal to bring the MPBL to Dubai as Imus, Batangas City and Davao Occidental will play in the largest city in the United Arab Emirates slated late September.