By Kristel Satumbaga
The Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League is suspending the opening of its next season scheduled on June 12 due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
The league made the announcement on Tuesday with a written statement signed by commissioner Kenneth Duremdes, saying the decision is in pursuant with the recent global health crisis and the quarantine implemented in various parts of the country until May 15.
“This unfortunate global circumstance has put all our endeavors on hold,” the statement said.
The league, however, assured that the present Lakan Season will resume and conclude prior to the next season opening.
“The MPBL management is doing its best to serve the interest of the league given the situation,” said the statement.
“We will all rise a stronger and better league.”
HELP FROM NUEVA
ECIJA OWNERS
The Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards are doling out rice in their efforts to help those affected by this COVID-19 pandemic.
Headed by team owner Bong Cuevas and his wife, Mayor Rianne Cuevas of Palayan City, the Rice Vanguards are distributing the Filipinos’ staple food in Central Luzon and other areas as their main contribution to the needy population hardest hit by the Luzon-wide lockdown.
According to Jai Reyes, the Rice Vanguards’ head of basketball operations and main point guard at the same time, the Cuevases also donated PPEs (personal protective equipment) to frontliners against the coronavirus.
Owing to Nueva Ecija’s distinction as Rice Bowl of the Philippines, however, the Cuevases make sure the precious commodity is delivered daily to depressed areas, charitable institutions, and even to companies affected by work stoppage like the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League where the Rice Vanguards belong.
With the Chooks-to-Go Lakan Season division championships and national finals stalled by the implementation of the Enhanced Community Quarantine, the Cuevases included MPBL personnel among the recipients of their rice allocation on Sunday.
