LET’S give it to Manny Pacquiao. His Maharlika Philippine Basketball League (MPBL) is a noble project.
Unwrapped early this year, Pacquiao’s tournament caters mainly to the “usual suspects” aka big dreamers.
While the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) has now become the ultimate destination of aspiring stars, Pacquiao’s league offers more.
Big league hopefuls now see the MPBL as a huge window, a springboard to landing a slot in the PBA.
Truth to tell, both leagues complement each other.
The PBA can use the MPBL as another farm league, a fertile breeding ground for future stars similar to the PBA D-League itself.
In return, the MPBL does not only aim to discover fresh talents for the PBA but—and this is the juicier part of it—it can also provide help to players who were unsuccessful in their first crack at the country’s premier pro league.
Meaning, those not lucky enough to make it to the PBA grade on their initial forays can hone their skills more in the MPBL. In time, when creases had been ironed out to seeming perfection, the wannabes can try again and gun for a reentry into the PBA. Isn’t humankind known to give everybody a second chance?
Also, PBA retirees, who can still hack it, can have the MPBL as their fallback. A little earning could help them make ends meet, especially to those who had gone astray and misspent virtual fortunes while they were still up there. Mending ways is never late.
But the MPBL, like practically all projects, has its imperfections, too.
One, why limit teams to just one Fil-Foreigner each? That is counterproductive as we have so many Fil-Fors out there dying to hit the big time, too. Suddenly, a Fil-For is deprived of his inherent right to also aim high.
My counsel to Pacquiao?
Open the MPBL to all Fil-Fors and that might yet make the league the country’s super league in no time.
Two, why allow only 6’4” and shorter Fil-Fors in the MPBL? Suddenly, it’s a crime to grow tall? The rule is unfair and unjust, to say the least. Unconstitutional even.
So, Senator Pacquiao, please reconsider? The league is taking its infant steps. Make remedies. Now.
I hate to see a good project go down the drain.