Helena Frye
The Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) is a men's regional professional basketball league in the Philippines. Founded by Manny Pacquiao in 2017, the league is not intended to be a competitor to the Philippine Basketball Association but rather a gateway for local talent. The MPBL started as an amateur league before becoming professional. It has since expanded to include the Junior MPBL, the Maharlika Pilipinas Volleyball Association, and the upcoming Women's Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League. The league has faced issues with game-fixing but has taken steps to address this problem. Outside of the Philippines, there is also a basketball club called Maharlika Sports (Bears Basketball) in Sydney, Australia, which offers coaching and skill development for players aged 8 to 22.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) |
| Founder | Manny Pacquiao |
| Year Founded | 2017 |
| Teams | 30 |
| Type of League | Men's regional professional basketball league |
| Purpose | Provide a gateway for local, homegrown talents to showcase their skills |
| Format | Home-and-away |
| Sponsors | Chooks-to-Go, OKBet, 1xbet |
| Television Partners | Cignal TV, Media Pilipinas TV (MPTV) |
| Streaming Rights | Pilipinas Live |
| Age Group | 8 to 22 |
| Training Frequency | Every Sunday |
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What You'll Learn
League history and format
The Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) is a men's regional professional basketball league in the Philippines. It was founded in 2017 by Manny Pacquiao, an eight-division boxing world champion and then-Senator. The MPBL is not intended to compete with the top-flight Philippine Basketball Association (PBA). Instead, it aims to provide a platform for local, homegrown talents to showcase their skills. The league has a home-and-away format, similar to the defunct Metropolitan Basketball Association.
The MPBL started as an amateur league before attaining professional status from the Games and Amusements Board. Due to Pacquiao's involvement, it is often referred to as Manny Pacquiao's Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League. The MPBL has since expanded into a series of leagues bearing the Maharlika Pilipinas name. This includes the Junior MPBL, which was unveiled in 2023, catering to youth players in various age divisions. The inaugural season of the Junior MPBL took place in July 2023.
The MPBL has had several title sponsors throughout its history. Chooks-to-Go of Bounty Agro Ventures became the league's first title sponsor in 2019, followed by sports betting platform OKBet in 2022. In 2025, the league signed a new sponsorship deal with the gambling company 1xbet until 2026. The league has also faced challenges with game-fixing issues, prompting a crackdown before the 2019-20 season.
In terms of format, the MPBL featured 29 teams in the 2024 season, marking the start of its Northern Luzon expansion. The league removed the ex-professional player limit, allowing teams to sign any number of professional players. The 2024 season culminated with the first back-to-back championship, with Pampanga claiming the title. The 2025 season introduces a play-in tournament, similar to the NBA, to determine the final playoff spots.
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Eligibility and team rosters
The Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) is a men's regional professional basketball league in the Philippines composed of 30 teams. Founded by Manny Pacquiao in 2017, the MPBL is intended to provide a gateway for local, homegrown talents to showcase their skills.
Eligibility for the MPBL is restricted to men, and the league currently features 30 teams. Each team is allowed to sign any number of professional players onto their rosters, with no restrictions on the number of ex-professional players.
Team rosters can vary in size, but typically include a mix of starters and substitutes. Starters are the players who typically begin the game, while substitutes are the players who come off the bench to replace starters during the game. Teams may also have a developmental squad or a youth squad to develop young players.
In terms of player eligibility, there are no restrictions on the number of professional players that can be signed. However, players must meet certain physical and skill requirements to join a team. Players typically need to demonstrate a high level of physical fitness and possess strong fundamental basketball skills, such as shooting, ball-handling, defense, and game strategy.
Players joining the MPBL are expected to exhibit the core values of respect, diligence, and excellence, both on and off the court. Teams are encouraged to develop well-rounded athletes and foster a supportive and dynamic environment for their players to thrive and reach their full potential.
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Sponsors and partners
The Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) has had several sponsors and partners since its founding in 2017. The league was established by Manny Pacquiao, an eight-division boxing world champion and former senator, to provide a platform for local, homegrown basketball talents in the Philippines.
In December 2019, the league secured its first title sponsor, Chooks-to-Go of Bounty Agro Ventures. This partnership was intended to last for five years but ended prematurely after the 2021 Invitational. Chooks-to-Go was succeeded by sports betting platform OKBet as the league's title sponsor in 2022 and 2023. Subsequently, the league signed a title sponsorship deal with the gambling company 1xbet in 2025, which is set to continue until 2026.
In addition to title sponsors, the MPBL has also forged partnerships with television networks to broadcast its games. In 2022, Cignal TV became the league's television partner, airing primetime games on One PH. Media Pilipinas TV (MPTV), a dedicated channel for Maharlika Pilipinas leagues' programming, began broadcasting all games in 2023. The network's Pilipinas Live service has held the streaming rights for MPBL games since its launch in 2023.
The MPBL has also expanded its brand by creating additional leagues under the Maharlika Pilipinas name. The Junior MPBL, catering to youth players in various age divisions, was unveiled in 2023. This was followed by the establishment of the Maharlika Pilipinas Volleyball Association (MPVA) for female volleyball players. Furthermore, plans are underway to introduce a direct women's counterpart, the Women's Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League.
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Media coverage
The Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) is a men's regional professional basketball league in the Philippines. Founded by Manny Pacquiao in 2017, the league is not intended to be a competitor to the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) but rather a gateway for local talent. The MPBL started as an amateur league and has since expanded into a series of leagues, including the Junior MPBL and the Women's MPBL.
The MPBL has gained significant media attention, especially in the Philippines. The league's games have been broadcast on television and streamed online, ensuring widespread coverage and accessibility for fans. In 2022, Cignal TV became the league's new television partner, with the primetime game being broadcast on One PH. Media Pilipinas TV (MPTV), a dedicated channel for the Maharlika Pilipinas leagues, also aired all games. The network's Pilipinas Live service held the streaming rights, providing fans with a convenient way to watch the games. The league has also attracted sponsorship deals, with Chooks-to-Go becoming the first title sponsor in 2019, followed by OKBet in 2022, and a recent deal with 1xbet in 2025.
The MPBL's development and games have been covered by various news outlets and sports media organisations in the Philippines and potentially internationally. The league's inaugural season, expansion, and milestones, such as the first back-to-back championship, are likely to have been highlighted in the media. The involvement of Manny Pacquiao, a well-known boxer and former senator, has also likely generated significant media interest and coverage.
Social media platforms, such as Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, are widely used by sports leagues and organisations to share updates, behind-the-scenes content, and interact with fans. The MPBL and its teams probably maintain an active presence on these platforms, providing fans with real-time information and a space for community engagement. Additionally, the league's expansion and milestones are likely to have sparked discussions and generated buzz on social media platforms, with fans sharing their experiences, predictions, and support for their favourite teams and players.
The MPBL's expansion and success have also led to the development of related leagues, such as the Junior MPBL and the Women's MPBL. These leagues cater to a diverse range of athletes and have likely received their own share of media coverage. The Junior MPBL, in particular, with its focus on youth development, may have garnered attention from local media outlets and sports programmes, showcasing the league as a platform for young, aspiring basketball players.
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Similar basketball leagues
The Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) is a men's regional basketball league in the Philippines, founded in 2017 by Manny Pacquiao. The MPBL is not intended to compete with the top-flight Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) but instead aims to provide a platform for local talent. The league has a home-and-away format, with 30 teams participating.
- AsiaBasket: AsiaBasket is a professional basketball league in Asia, potentially covering multiple countries.
- National Basketball League (NBL): The NBL is a professional basketball league in the Philippines. It is one of the top-flight leagues in the country, alongside the PBA.
- Pilipinas Super League (PSL): The PSL is another professional basketball league in the Philippines, providing further opportunities for local players.
- Pilipinas VisMin Super Cup: The Pilipinas VisMin Super Cup is a professional basketball league in the Philippines, showcasing the depth of talent in the country.
- PBA D-League: The PBA D-League is an amateur development league associated with the PBA, allowing up-and-coming players to gain experience and potentially progress to the PBA.
- BIBL – Balkan International Basketball League: BIBL is a regional league featuring teams from Albania, Bulgaria, Israel, Kosovo, Montenegro, and North Macedonia.
- VTB United League: The VTB League is a first-tier basketball league that has been operating since the 2012-13 season, featuring teams from Belarus and Kazakhstan.
- Basketball Super League (BSL): BSL is a basketball league system in Turkey, with BSL 1 being the first tier from 1992 to 2010, and BSL 2 being the third tier.
- Premier A Slovenian Basketball League (SKL): SKL is the top-tier basketball league in Slovenia, also known as Liga Telemach for sponsorship reasons.
- Women's Japan Basketball League (WJBL): WJBL is a women's basketball league in Japan, providing a platform for female players to compete and develop.
- Women's National Basketball League (WNBL): The WNBL is the first women's basketball league in the Philippines to gain professional status. It was established in 2019 and turned professional the following year.
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Frequently asked questions
The Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League is a men's regional professional basketball league in the Philippines composed of 30 teams. It was founded in 2017 by Manny Pacquiao and is intended to be a gateway for local, homegrown talents to showcase their skills.
To join a team in the MPBL, you must be a male player and try out for one of the 30 teams in the league. You can improve your skills by joining a basketball club, like Maharlika Sports (Bears Basketball) in Sydney, which offers expert coaching, skill development, and local competition teams for players aged 8 to 22.
The requirements to join the MPBL include being a male player and having the necessary basketball skills and experience. The league uses a home-and-away format, and teams can sign any number of professional players onto their rosters.
