THE Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL), through its founder and chairman Manny Pacquiao, has renewed its broadcast partnership with Solar Sports in bringing the games closer to local cage fans.
Elated by the result of the MPBL games aired by Solar last year, Pacquiao, boxing’s lone eight-division world champion, said on Wednesday he’s looking forward to an even more successful Eighth Season with the infusion of fresh talents and standouts from the country’s top collegiate leagues.
“Fans can expect better, more competitive games this year,” said Pacquiao, who signed the agreement with Solar Sports president Wilson Tieng at the Solar Century Tower in Makati.
Other signatories are MPBL Commissioner Emmer Oreta, CEO Joe Ramos and Legal Counsel Glenn Gacal, Solar chairman William Tieng, CFO/COO Kenneth Yumang and Chief Legal Counsel Valerie Grace Domantay.
“With Solar as an integral partner, we can look forward to an even more comprehensive coverage not only of the games, but the league’s other activities.”
Ramos concurred and noted that Solar has doubled its MPBL coverage, from six live games weekly last year to 12 in the Eighth Season, which begins on April 10, with simultaneous inaugural ceremonies at the Caloocan Sports Complex for the North Division and the Alonte Sports Arena in Binan, Laguna, for the South Division.
The MPBL has also decided to make its National Finals a best-of-seven affair, instead of the best-of-five format since 2019.
According to Yumang, apart from Solar’s free TV, the games will also be beamed by partner cable channels.
Furthermore, the coverage will be expanded to include the activities of the league and the players.
Also present were MPBL players Kymani Ladi (Caloocan), Tucker Molina (Abra), Nicko Elorde (Abra), Mike Are (Zamboanga), Paeng Are (Zamboanga) and Inno Comboy (Batangas).
Caption: MPBL Founder and Chairman Manny Pacquiao talks with Solar Sports President Wilson Tieng as MPBL Commissioner Emmer Oreta and CEO Joe Ramos confer at the back. At right is Solar Sports Chairman William Tieng.
