MPBL playoffs still uncertain

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

 

Months after its postponement, fans of the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) are still wondering if the halted season will still push through.

Fans excitedly shared the proposed schedule for the MPBL semifinals a few hours after it was released on social media, taking it as a sign that their beloved league would finally resume.

With four remaining teams left battling for the Lakan Cup title, everything went back to square one due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

However, as quarantine levels toned down, contact sports are slowly getting back on track in line with the country’s health and safety protocols.

MPBL commissioner Kenneth Duremdes recently passed their return to action proposal to the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) but bared that it is still subject for approval and will have to take some time due to some parameters MPBL might not qualify for.

In the most recent announcement of the government, only professional sports leagues are allowed to get back on track providing they will observe a bubble format and will have to comply with everything the government imposes, particularly on the safety protocols.

The MPBL, however, still hasn’t reached professional status and remains as an amateur level sports league.

According to the Games and Amusement Board (GAB), they can’t act regarding MPBL’s request for formal return because they have no professional license.

“We are just following IATF guidelines. If they change it, then other leagues should also be allowed to play. Policy came from IATF to allow pro leagues only, it’s not from GAB,” said Mitra.

As of this time, it is only the IATF that has the last say regarding MPBL’s resume of basketball operations with the decision scheduled to be released in several days.