Bigger responsibility for Duremdes

By Jerome Lagunzad

Former pro league great Kenneth “Captain Marbel” Duremdes is excited to open a new chapter in his basketball career, this time as the newly-appointed commissioner of the upcoming Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League.

“It’s a big challenge for me,” the 6-foot-3 Duremdes, 43, told Tempo in a phone interview yesterday, barely 24 hours since being named to the coveted post by current Senator and boxing icon Manny Pacquiao, the league’s founding chairman.

“I’m thankful because he gave me his full trust and confidence. Binigyan niya ako ng bagong career sa basketball. I just promised him that I will put my best foot forward just like what I’ve done throughout my basketball career.”

A one-time PBA MVP awardee back in 1998 who was also the youngest member of the pro league’s 25 Greatest Players, Duremdes has also tried his luck as a tactician, having called the shots for defunct Coca-Cola in the pros and Adamson in the UAAP.

This time, the pride of Marbel in Koronadal City, South Cotabato is set to assume a bigger role – and bigger responsibilities too – as the top executive of the community-based amateur league that finally gets off the wraps with a pre-season tournament slated from Nov. 29 to Dec. 13 this year.

“Excited rin ako bumalik sa mundo ng basketball kasi maganda ‘yung concept ng liga. The vision of Senator Manny is to help the next generation who have yet to play in the big league and give them a chance to showcase their talents. Ito ‘yung pwede nila maging springboard before jumping to the big leagues,” he said.

So far, at least four cities have kept their commitment about joining the single-round, pre-season tourney which serves as part of their preparations – and the league as well – ahead of the regular season tentatively set on Jan. 13, with league matches set to be aired over ABS-CBN Sports and Action.

Duremdes added that Pacquiao, 38, the only eight-division world boxing champion, is keen on having “at least 10 to 12 teams” for the inaugural conference before expanding their reach to Visayas and Mindanao.

“Actually, gustung-gusto na niyang simulan ‘to kasi alam niya na maraming magkakaroon ng chance maglaro, lalo ‘yung mga nasa ibang maliliit na bayan. He’s very passionate about the league and I’m confident that this will succeed,” said Duremdes.