After two phenomenal seasons of Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL), ABS-CBN Sports and league chairman and founder Sen. Manny Pacquiao have forged a new partnership for the exclusive broadcast of the third season of MPBL, which opens on June 12.
 
The agreement, which will bring MPBL action to various ABS-CBN Sports platforms, was made official yesterday by Sen. Pacquiao, ABS-CBN Sports LOB lead March Ventosa, ABS-CBN Sports head Dino Laurena, MPBL president Zaldy Realubit, and MPBL commissioner Kenneth Duremdes yesterday (May 30).
 
This season, more Filipinos will be able to witness the action-packed and passion-fueled games of the MPBL as matches will be shown not only on ABS-CBN S+A  and S+A HD, but also on LIGA and LIGA HD on cable, and overseas via TFC. There will also be livestreaming on iWant in the Philippines and TFC Online (www.TFC.tv) in foreign territories.
 
“We have heard the voice of the people. We will bring MPBL to as many Filipinos as possible by making it available on ABS-CBN Sports platforms on free TV, cable, and online. Moreover, overseas Filipinos can also follow and cheer for their home teams now through TFC,” said Laurena.
 
The last two years saw the meteoric rise of the MPBL, dubbed the “Liga Ng Bawat Pilipino,” with teams representing Filipino towns or provinces, and featuring homegrown and undiscovered talents in basketball. Its home and away format has been a hit among basketball fans, who would fill stadiums and coliseums to show support for their home squads and favorite athletes.
 
In just a year, MPBL expanded from 10 teams to 26 teams. It continues to draw interest from the private sector, who want to support the teams, as well as topnotch basketball talent from the collegiate and professional ranks, making the tournament even more competitive than ever. In fact, for the MPBL Lakan Cup, a total of 31 teams are competing including newcomers Nueva Ecija, Bicol, and Mindoro from Luzon, Iloilo for Visayas, and Sarangani from Mindanao.
 
Catch the season opener of the MPBL Lakan Cup, which coincides with the Philippine Independence Day, this June 12  on S+A, S+A HD, LIGA, LIGA HD, iWant Sports, and TFC.  For MPBL news, follow @ABSCBNSports on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram or visit sports.abs-cbn.com. For updates, follow @ABSCBNPR on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram or visit abscbnpr.com.