MANNY Pacquiao reaffirmed the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League’s commitment to protecting the integrity of the tournament, saying there is no room for “hocus pocus” following Bacolod's expulsion over its controversial defeat to the Bulacan Kuyas on Tuesday.
Pacquiao made the remarks during the media press conference of the Maharlika Pilipinas Pickleball Tour on Friday, where he arrived around three hours after the scheduled start of the event before addressing questions on the MPBL controversy.
READ: Bacolod's shameful endgame stand vs Bulacan raises MPBL suspicion
The league founder and chairman stressed how the MPBL was established to bring quality basketball entertainment to Filipinos, making honesty and integrity non-negotiable for everyone involved.
“Sinasabi ko naman sa kanila ang MPBL ay nagbibigay ng kasiyahan sa larangan ng sports sa buong Pilipinas, mga Pilipino,” Pacquiao said.
“Ayoko ’yung may mga hocus pocus na nangyayari at dinadaya ’yung mga tao. Ang gusto ko ’yung mga players maglaro with integrity and honesty.”
The boxing hall of famer also shared that the league has an internal team dedicated to monitoring every game for suspicious activity, saying the league has long been keeping a close watch against possible game-fixing.
“Lagi akong nakasubaybay and in fact may team akong binuo para to oversee and review all the games. Every time na may laro, may mga taong nakasubaybay at pinag-aaralan ’yung mga laro kung may nagbebenta o wala,” he added.
His statement came a day after the MPBL expelled Bacolod from the league following its controversial 100-64 loss to Bulacan where the team looked like it stopped playing in the final eight minutes of the game.
The unusual finish prompted an investigation that ultimately led to the franchise’s removal from the tournament.
READ: MPBL kicks out Bacolod after its scoreless last eight minutes
Pacquiao reminded the players and coaches that the trust of fans should never be taken for granted.
“Sa mga players, coaches, huwag natin lokohin ang taumbayan. Maglaro tayo kasi pangit ’yung nagche-cheer ’yung mga tao tapos fixed game pala. Mahirap ’yun kaya nakabantay tayo palagi.”
The eight-division world champion emphasized that protecting the credibility of the MPBL remains a priority, saying years of building the league should not be undone by a few bad apples in the league.
“Maalagaan natin ang integrity ng MPBL dahil for how many years ko rin itong binuild at ngayon nandiyan na siya, kilala na ang MPBL tapos masisira lamang sa mga ganyang gawain,” Pacquiao uttered.
“So nakabantay tayo and I hope lahat ng mga players maglaro sila nang buong puso with honesty and integrity.”
The MPBL has yet to announce whether additional sanctions will be imposed on individuals involved as the investigation into the incident continues.
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