The Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) is looking to stage the upcoming 2021 Mumbaki Cup in another bubble setting in Subic.

It remains to be seen, though, when that would be as league commissioner Kenneth Duremdes disclosed that plenty of challenges have cropped up in their bid to get the league started next month. The former basketball great turned league executive shared that the league has yet to be granted approval by the Inter-Agency Task Force.

"Gusto na nating mag-resume but we know we are facing so many challenges with regards to the application for resumption of the league sa IATF," Duremdes said during his appearance on Tuesday's Philippine Sportswriters Association online forum.

"Sa ngayong ang confirmed is 19 teams and we are still eyeing the Subic bubble dahil alam natin that the place is secured and safe."

Despite having a possible venue to host the teams, the league also needs to work with different local government units and the Department of Health as it is a semi-professional, regional league.

"Yung mga challenges din natin sa mga guidelines regarding sa status ng mga LGUs. So yun yung nakikita natin na nahihirapan ang liga sa ngayon. Unang-una, wala pa tayo sa stage na magkaroon ng clearance yung mga LGUs na mag-hold ng kani-kanilang practices," he said.

"So sa ngayon, teams within NCR bubble, walang chance maka-practice unlike sa leagues na konte lang yung teams. They can bring the teams sa province sa isang bubble."

Also, the league is not covered by the Joint Administrative Order on the Conduct of Health - Enhancing Physical Activities and Sports during the Covid-19 pandemic as its protocols are based on the guidelines established by DOH and the host LGU.

With these challenges, the Chooks-to-Go Mumbaki Cup's June 12 opening will be moved. Independence Day has been the league's traditional start date for both the Datu and Lakan seasons. (JNP)