After a year of planning, Pacquiao’s vision has become a reality.
“Matagal ko ginawa ito. Mahigit isang taon yung formula na ginawa natin para mapaganda at ma-involve yung mga mamamayan sa liga na ito,” shared the founder of the league.
“Yun ang naisip ko, to involve the local governments.”
For the inaugural Raja Cup, the league is composed of 10 team from Luzon, namely the Bataan Defenders, the Batangas Athletics-Tanduay, the Bulacan Kuyas, the Caloocan Supremos, the Imus Bandera, the Muntinlupa Cagers, the Navotas Clutch, the Parañaque Patriots, the Quezon City Capitals, and the Valenzuela Classic.
According to the Fighting Senator, there are more cities that want to field a team for the next conferences.
“Maraming gustong sumali. ‘Pag dumami yan, parang magiging NBA style. May East and West, sa atin naman, South and North,” disclosed Pacquiao, who has financed numerous club teams prior to this endeavor.
“Kung sino yung gustong sumali sa next conference, maganda itong league na ito dahil mga lugar.”
With the mission to bring quality basketball to the far reaches of the country, people could not help but see the resemblance to the Metropolitan Basketball League. But Pacquiao stressed that compared to the defunct league, the MPBL is working closely with local governments.
“Ang kaibahan dito is invovled yung mga LGUNGO. Lugar sa lugar eh. Sa MBA, companies yun eh. Para siyang NBA style,” Pacquiao explained.
“Sa atin naman, mga city and province. Ang game naman is home-and-away.”
Moreover, Pacquiao is driven to make a league that is for the Filipino and by the Filipino.
“Maganda ito kasi anybody can play.
“May edad na magaling pa, madidiskubre. May mga bata na magagaling, nabibigyan ng chance di lang sa liga kundi mapapanood siya sa buong Pilipinas,” he beamed.
