Challenges have arisen for the start of the 2021 Chooks-to-Go MPBL Mumbaki Cup.
Commissioner Kenneth Duremdes said that the league has yet to gain approval from the Inter-Agency Task Force to begin training, but stressed that they are looking at Subic to host their bubble.
“Gusto na nating mag-resume but we know we are facing so many challenges with regards to the application for resumption of the league sa IATF,” Duremdes said during Tuesday’s Philippine Sportswriters Association online forum.
“Sa ngayong, ang confirmed is 19 teams and we are still eyeing the Subic bubble dahil alam natin that the place is secured and safe,” he said.
Despite having a possible venue to host the member teams, the MPBL also needs to coordinate with numerous local government units and, as well as, the Department of Health as it is a semi-professional, regional league.
“’Yung mga challenges din natin sa mga guidelines regarding sa status ng mga LGUs. So ‘yun ang nakikita natin na nahihirapan ang liga sa ngayon. Unang-una, wala pa tayo sa stage na magkaroon ng clearance ‘yung mga LGUs na mag-hold ng kani-kanilang practices,” he said.
“So sa ngayon, teams within NCR bubble, walang chance maka-practice unlike sa leagues na konti lang ‘yung teams. They can bring the teams sa province sa isang bubble.”
In addition, the league is not covered by the Joint Administrative Order on the Conduct of Health – Enhancing Physical Activities and Sports during the COVID-19 Pandemic as its protocols are solely based on the guidelines set by DOH and the host LGU.
With these challenges, the Chooks-to-Go Mumbaki Cup’s June 12 opening will be moved. Independence Day has been the league’s traditional start date for both the Datu and Lakan seasons.
“Tinitignan natin if hindi tayo maka-start ng June 12, sana July or August. Mahirap mag-set ng timeline dahil depende talaga sa cases ng LGUs,” he said.
But when the league is around to resume under a bubble concept, Duremdes said that the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority will lend two game venues so that the Mumbaki Cup can finish in three months.
“Aabot kami ng 300-plus sa delegation so regarding sa format, again, gumagawa kami ng format ngayon na dalawang venue sa SBMA, simultaneous siya tapos Monday to Saturday. Three games sa first court, three games sa second para mapabilis yung league,” Duremdes said.
With regards to their TV partner, the league said that three networks have expressed interest to carry them.
