THE MPBL found a new friend going to its coming eighth season even as Manny Pacquiao reiterated his call to help curb out the practice of game fixing.
In a ceremonial contract signing on Monday, Pacquiao personally attended the affair that formalized the partnership between the home and away league and its official title partner SportsPlus.
The 47-year-old Filipino sports icon was joined in the event held at the Gameville Ball Park by SportsPlus president and CEO Andre Uy and new MPBL commissioner Emerson Oreta.
During his brief speech, Pacquiao, the only eight-time world division champion, welcomed the entry of SportsPlus and said ‘it marked a new era in the MPBL.’
At the same time, he called on players, teams, and coaches to help restrain game fixing in the sport.
“As founder and chairman, nandito ako laging nakabantay para pangalagaan ang integridad at pangalan ng ating liga,” he said.
“I always say this and I’m here to say it again today, ‘huwag ninyo ng pasukan yung mga game fixing na iyan. Masisira lang ang buhay ninyo. Kayo lang ang ginagamit ng mga sindikato diyan. Puwede naman tayong maglaro ng parehas at ipakita natin sa yan bayan.”
A clean slate.
That’s how Pacquiao wanted the league’s eighth season to kick off especially with SportsPlus coming into the picture.
“Today is more than just a signing ceremony, today something bigger is coming for the MPBL. We are powered by a partnership together with SportPlus. This is about collaboration, about aligning brands that believe in excellence, integrity, and nationwide impact,” said Pacquiao.
“As founder and chairman, I believe this is a defining moment not just for the MPBL, but for Philippine basketball.”
SportsPlus is the country’s no. 1 sportsbook and also the official gaming partner of the Philippine Olympic Committee and a trusted PAGCOR-regulated platform.
“This is another meaningful step for us in supporting Philippine sports and empowering homegrown talent,” Uy said.
“We believe in tying up with platforms like MPBL that create real opportunities for athletes and bring the game closer to communities across the country.”
Also in line with Pacquiao’s call to restrict game fixing, the MPBL also partnered with global sports technology Sportradar to enfore integrity and elevate league standards.
Trusted by major organizations such as the NBA, NHL, MLB, and FIFA, Sportradar provides advanced data and integrity solutions that help safeguard competitions worldwide.
Through this partnership, MPBL reinforces its commitment to fair play, transparency, and better governance.
The ceremony concluded with a commemorative jersey signing and turnover rite ed by Pacquiao.
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