‘Ayaw ko ng hocus-pocus.’
Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) founding chairman Manny Pacquiao did not mince words as he slammed the alleged game manipulation of the Bacolod Masskara in the league.
The MPBL has banned still-unnamed players and coaches and cancelled the team’s season ‘in light of recent allegations concerning potential game manipulation.’
The allegations were rooted from an eyebrow-rising game with the Bulacan Kuyas, where Bacolod did not score in the final seven minutes and 48 seconds. The Masskara lost, 100-64.
Talking to reporters Friday during the launch of the Maharlika Pilipinas Pickleball Tour in Makati, Pacquiao said that he wants the MPBL’s players to play with integrity and honesty.
‘Sinasabi ko naman sa kanila na ang MPBL, nagbibigay ng kasiyahan sa larangan ng sports sa buong Pilipinas, sa mga Pilipino. Ayaw ko yung mga may hokus-pokus na nangyayari na dinadaya yung mga tao,’ he said.
‘Gusto ko, mga players na maglaro with integrity and honesty.’
He bared that there is a team of individuals formed to oversee the games.
‘Lagi akong nakasubaybay. In fact, may team akong binuo to oversee and review all the games every time na may laro, may mga taong nakasubaybay riyan, pinagaaralan yung gma laro kung may nagbebenta o wala,’ he said.
The former senator also appealed to the players and coaches ‘not to fool the masses.’
‘Sa mga players, coaches, wag nating lokohin ang taongbayan. Maglaro tayo kasi pangit yung nagchi-cheer ang mga tao tapos it’s a fixed game. Mahirap yun,’ he said.
‘Kaya nakabantay tayo parati, pangalagaan natin ang integrity ng MPBL dahil for how many years ko rin tong binuild and ngayon andiyan na siya, kilala na ang MPBL tapos masisira lang sa mga ganiyang gawain. Nakabantay tayo and I hope na lahat ng mga players na maglaro lang sila ng buong puso and with honesty and integrity.’
Before getting suspended the rest of the season, Bacolod was holding a 3-19 win-loss record.
The team lost multiple games via huge margins – 108-77 against General Santos; 99-52 against Caloocan; 113-61 against Quezon; 128-85 against San Juan; 111-78 against Batangas; 107-72 against Rizal; 113-62 against Bataan; 100-74 against Pasay; 117-80 against Zamboanga; 97-67 against Cebu; and the last was an 84 point, 129-45 drubbing against Abra.