What in the world happened, Bacolod? (MPBL)

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

The Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League officially called off the Bacolod MassKara’s season after its 100-64 loss to the Bulacan Kuyas was flagged in a possible game-fixing probe.

According to the MPBL’s statement, the Bacolod players and coaches involved were all issued red cards and permanently banned from the league.

“The Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) reiterates its unyielding commitment to preserving the integrity, fairness, and credibility of the sport,” the MPBL wrote.

On July 28, 2026, the MassKara went viral on social media after failing to convert a single field goal in the final 7:48 of the fourth quarter against Bulacan.

Much of the postgame buzz focused less on Bulacan’s dominant win and more on Bacolod’s noticeably strange play.

A series of uncharacteristic missed wide-open layups, turnovers, and on-court miscommunication highlighted the MPBL matchup, with several basketball enthusiasts, analysts, and professional players immediately taking jabs at Bacolod in what they called an evident display of “Benta Gaming.”

Even the official game commentators fell silent and appeared confused by Bacolod’s repeated misses on wide-open layups and perimeter shots, with some 3-point attempts even hitting the backboard while barely touching the rim.

“The league stresses that these measures are preventive and administrative as the league will continue its investigation together with relevant government agencies,” the MPBL added.

With Bacolod’s recent expulsion, it became the second Western Visayas-based team to face that kind of sanction following the Iloilo United Royals on June 23, 2026.

In retrospect, the MPBL revoked Iloilo’s franchise after the team abandoned its obligations and participation in the league.

Aside from recording two forfeitures against Marikina and Negros, the United Royals were also investigated for possible game-fixing after Sportradar, the MPBL’s third-party integrity partner, detected unusual betting patterns involving their games.

Multiple sources also confirmed that Iloilo still had unpaid balances owed to its players, which led to a mass exodus in the middle of the season.

“We vow to the public, our fans, and the entire basketball community that we will remain relentless and uncompromising in eradicating game-manipulation from Philippine basketball. The integrity of the game will always come first,” the MPBL ended.