A vision for MPBL

The owner of the reigning Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League national champion has several great ideas to catapult the league to a higher level. Vicente “Bong” Cuevas III, patron of the fourth season MPBL rulers Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards, has been studying how to strengthen the sustainability of the association. He finally decided to share his thoughts in the hope that they will become reality.

At an intimate dinner with sports media Saturday night, Cuevas, who got his start in construction, passionately outlined his thoughts on how to broaden the league’s appeal even further.

“We’re already getting big audiences,” said Cuevas, whose team is based in Palayan City, Nueva Ecija. “We need to encourage the team owners to keep supporting the league, even if we have to spend to prop up the league. There are ways to add value for the long-term.”

Among the ideas discussed is the creation of an MPL Board, not to interfere with day-to-day operations, but to set a vision and direction for the regional league, which draws capacity crowds almost everywhere they play. More and more teams have expressed interest in joining. Another thought is the formation of an MPBL Press Corps including members of national media like broadsheets, tabloids and even TV crews, to bring the excitement of the games to an even broader audience. Also discussed was long-term planning to help mitigate costs, and more income streams as a buffer against big expenses. This season, the league signed an agreement with global sports brand ANTA for the uniforms of all teams. Other leagues like the PBA additionally have revenue from broadcast rights and merchandising.

The MPBL, brainchild of eight-division world boxing champion and former senator Manny Pacquiao, plays a logistically demanding home-and-away format. Some teams like the Rice Vanguards spend an average of about P700,000 per out of town trip. But with no ticketing for the majority of teams, the revenue streams for owners to recoup their investment are limited to what the league is already earning, and individual team sponsors. Nevertheless, according to the Rice Vaunguards owner, the non-monetary rewards more than justify the expense.

“Even if we spend that much money, the people of Nueva Ecija are just so happy to see us play. That has no price tag.” Cuevas adds. “And once we start doing more to bring awareness to our own games, the other team owners will follow.”

In the vision put forth by Cuevas, the MPBL will be self-sustaining, streamlined and competitive with any other professional league anywhere.