Author: Aaron Brennt
Since its establishment in 2017, MPBL has not only provided a platform for local and grassroots players to showcase their talents but has also attracted numerous well-known stars, entertainers, and political figures. This league has successfully combined its passion for basketball with diverse talents, creating a unique competitive atmosphere. Let’s take a look at some of the notable individuals who are redefining themselves on the MPBL stage.
Ronnie Alonte
Ronnie Alonte came into prominence when he became a member of the all-male dance group Hashtags in 2015, which regularly performed in the daytime variety show ‘It’s Showtime.’ After his debut, Ronnie’s career in television continued throughout the years as he released multiple singles and starred in numerous television series and movies.
In 2024, Ronnie went back to his first love, playing for his hometown the Biñan Taktak Gel in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League. With over three million followers on Instagram, Ronnie has always been a crowd-favorite whenever he plays.
Mark Alcala
Currently serving as Mayor of Lucena City in Quezon Province, Mark Alcala became famous for his trending TikTok videos. Standing at six feet, Mayor Mark currently plays point guard for the Lucena-based team Quezon Huskers. Before joining politics, he also played for the De La Salle – College of St. Benilde Blazers.
Justine Baltazar
Justine Baltazar led the De La Salle University Green Archers to a championship in the 79th season of the University Athletics Association of the Philippines, which suddenly made him a crowd favorite. Standing at six-foot-eight-inches, Justine played for the Philippine national team in the 2022 FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers and the 2020 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament.
Now playing for his hometown Pampanga Giant Lanters, Justine continues to impress with his skills on the court, particularly in rebounding.
Paul Desiderio
Paul Desiderio became a cult hero for the fans of the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons when he showed grit to bring his team to the finals after 32 years. In a crucial semifinal match against the Adamson University Soaring Falcons, Paul’s famous words “Atin ‘to! (This game is ours!)” became a rallying cry, moments before he hit a game-winning mid-range jumper.
He then went on to play in the PBA but faced challenges with injuries during his time with the Blackwater Elite. After recovering from an ACL injury, Paul found a new opportunity with the Mindoro Tamaraws in the MPBL, playing as a shooting guard.
Greg Slaughter
Greg Slaughter played in the PBA for eight years, where he won four championships with the crowd-favorite team, Barangay Ginebra San Miguel. In 2022, Greg took his talent to Japan when he signed with Rizing Zephyr Fukuoka of the B2 League, which marked his departure from the PBA.
After his stint in Japan, Greg joined Manila Batang Sampaloc of the MPBL. In his prime, Greg was invited multiple times to become part of the Philippine national basketball team pool for several international tournaments.
Marc Pingris
Marc Pingris, a nine-time PBA champion, was a well-known basketball player as he was one of the few who achieved a grand slam in the Philippine Basketball Association as part of the San Mig Coffee Mixers in the 2013-2014 PBA Season. In May 2021, Marc retired from competitive basketball after 16 years of playing in the PBA due to an injury. However, to the delight of his fans, Pingris returned to competitive basketball as part of the MPBL, first with Imus SV Squad before transferring to Biñan Taktak Gels.
At 42 years old, Marc still gives younger players a run for their money. He may not be as dominating as he used to be, but Marc still demonstrates the skills he perfected over the years in the professional league.
Marc achieved superstar status when he got his own moniker “Pinoy Sakuragi” after the popular anime protagonist Hanamichi Sakuragi.
The Impact of MPBL: Redefining Careers and Shaping Philippine Basketball
When eight-division boxing world champion Manny Pacquiao founded the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) in 2017, he might not have anticipated how it would attract such a diverse array of well-known players and public figures. From former PBA stars to entertainment celebrities and political figures, MPBL has become a unique stage in the Philippine basketball scene, allowing various talents to flourish in their second wind. These stories of renowned individuals redefining themselves in MPBL showcase the league’s growing influence and its role in shaping the future of Philippine basketball.
