MPBL ends Bacolod season, bans players and coaches

MANILA, Philippines— The Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) has permanently banned the Bacolod Masskara players and coaches involved in the team’s 100-64 loss to the Bulacan Kuyas on July 28, while canceling the franchise’s participation for the remainder of the 2026 season.

MPBL commissioner Emmer Oreta on Thursday issued “red cards” to the players and coaches who took part in the game at the Pasay Astrodome. Under the league’s rules, all individuals served with “red cards” are permanently banned from the MPBL.

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“The MPBL stands firm against any attempt to tarnish the sanctity of Philippine basketball,” Oreta said in a press release. “Swift and decisive action will continue to be taken against any conduct that threatens the trust of our fans, team owners, and the public.”

MPBL founder and chairman Manny Pacquiao approved the sanctions after reviewing video of the Bulacan-Bacolod game.

Since the league’s inception in 2018, Pacquiao has repeatedly stressed that the MPBL would not tolerate game manipulation involving players, coaches or team officials.

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The league said the sanctions are preventive and administrative as it continues its investigation with relevant government agencies. It also disclosed that some members of the Bacolod team had previously been issued “yellow cards” earlier this season after earlier incidents were flagged by the Office of the Commissioner.

MPBL CEO Joe Ramos said the league’s sanctions do not preclude separate investigations by the Games and Amusements Board (GAB), Congress and the Senate.

The GAB has also initiated a fact-finding investigation into the July 28 Bulacan-Bacolod game. It said those involved will be required to submit their comments as part of the regulatory body’s due process before it resolves the case.

“This ensures that all relevant parties are afforded due process and given a fair opportunity to be heard,” GAB said in a statement.