Let’s pretend that we are given a chance to make the best Filipino Basketball League out of the existing Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League, which was created and founded by Sen. Manny Pacquiao way back in 2017.
Imagining that the sky’s the limit for the finance and expenses, this is how I would shape MPBL in order for it to be a globally competitive league.
International Teams: Asian, European, Middle Eastern and African
In reality, the 7th Season of MPBL would feature 31 Teams which are divided into 2 Divisions. The North Division and South Division. Compared to last year’s tournament, which only had 29 teams, now a new team from the North Division gets added, which is the Ilagan Isabela Cowboys. For the South, an old team returns to compete, which is Basilan.
But just like what I’ve said from the beginning, money won’t be a problem in improving the league.
First, I’d add 1 more team in the North Division to properly make both Divisions even at 16 teams each. And then per Division, I’d add 2 international teams which can be from another Asian Country, Europe, Middle Eas,t and Africa.
So it would look like this:
(Note: “ *** “ stands for the team I’d like to be added in the North Division and “+” stands for the International squad I’d like to be part of the Division)
- NORTH DIVISION: San Juan, Pampanga, Nueva Ecija, Manila, Caloocan, Pasay, Abra, Rizal, Quezon City, Valenzuela, Pangasinan, Bataan, Marikina, Bulacan, Ilagan Isabela, ***Makati, +Singapore Slingers, +Al Riyadi Club Beirut (Lebanon)
- SOUTH DIVISION: Quezon, Batangas City, Biñan, Zamboanga, Parañaque, South Cotabato, Davao Occidental, Negros Occidental, Iloilo, Mindoro, Muntinlupa, Sarangani, Bicol, Imus, Bacolod, +Panathinaikos B.C. (Greece), +A.S. Douanes (Senegal)
The global teams I’ve added are existing teams and of course, they really wouldn’t join the MPBL but still, I’d love to see Pinoy Teams battling tooth and nail against these foreign guest teams. Can you imagine playing in your home crowd and beating Greece?
Home and Away Format
Since per Division there’d be 18 teams each, I would want them to have a “Home and Away Format” in which a team will face a squad twice. That would make 34 games per team. In that way, both the teams will be able to experience being the “visiting team” and what it’s like to have the crowd be against them.
Also, it would be a delightful experience for a Philippine squad to go and visit other countries just to play ball.
Reinforcements and Fil-Ams
Ever since the creation of MPBL, imports weren’t allowed to be in the league since the very mission of the league is to give more Pinoy basketball players a chance to reach their dreams in playing in the big league. Considering that the PBA only has a few roster spots in their 12 teams, MPBL has opened its doors for more players to turn Pro.
In 2023, MPBL allowed at least 2 Filipino-American players per team. In the PBA, there’s a limit of 5 Fil-Am players per roster.
For the improved league, I would wish to have a maximum of 3 Fil-Ams per lineup. I’d also now allow foreign imports to play as each team can have a maximum of 2 reinforcements with no height restriction. It can be two American 7-footers or two 6-foot-10 Asian Centers. They can even just have 1 foreign import if they wish. Whatever the team wants or needs, it’s up to them.
This change would allow us fans to see a global competition in the league as well as global talents representing the Philippines.
Number of Roster Spots and Ex-Pros
During the previous 2023-24 season, MPBL abandoned their rule on how many ex-PBA players can compete for a squad. From the original number of 7 ex-pros, I wish to just make it into only 2 per team with the age limit of 45 years old.
The reason for this is that I would wish to see more fresh new talents play in the league and let them carve out their names in the history of Philippine Basketball. While the old heads decide if they really should hang up their jerseys and create a new journey for them outside of basketball. It’s not only for the league’s benefit but for the greater good of their health as well.
Meanwhile, the league also had a bizarre rule of 22-players per team. I wish to cut it down to 18 players with only allowing 12 players to see action per night. Doing so would make the Coaching Staff brainstorm on who they should play on their 12-man roster per outing.
Play-Ins and Game 7’s
Currently, MPBL does not have a Play-In Tournament which features the 7th seed team all the way to the 10th seeded team fighting for the last 2 Playoff spots. The league also just has a Best-Of-Five series throughout the entire playoffs.
In my terms, Play In Tournament would be activated while making all the matchup series a Best-Of-Seven. So from Quarterfinals, Semifinals, National Championship, and Finals, it’ll be a classic Game of 7. Similar to what the NBA is doing.
Catching Up with The World
For my last adjustment, I’d reinforce the league to adapt all FIBA rules in the tournament.
In reality, the MPBL is already using the 10-minute quarters, but I wish for them to also incorporate the other FIBA based rules like, the allowed goaltending interference, coaches are only ones allowed to call timeouts and not players, in battle for the loose ball there wouldn’t be a jump ball, etc.
With all of these changes I’ve mentioned, I can imagine that the league will now be known globally and the players will experience top-tier competition each and every night.
But all of this can be achieved if only I can talk to a genie in a bottle, so how about you? If ever given a chance to make certain adjustments, how would you want the MPBL to look like?
