Former pros banner MPBL cast

MANILA, Philippines — Former Gilas Pilipinas member Gary David and a number of former pros hope to anchor their respective teams’ bid in the inaugural Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League, which gets going Thursday at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.

The 6-foot-3 David, 39, a four-time PBA scoring champion, will banner his hometown Bataan’s campaign in the Anta Rajah Cup, a home-and-away tournament put up by Sen. Manny Pacquiao.

Veteran tactician Aric del Rosario, the man behind UST’s four-peat in the UAAP in the 90s, will try to weave his magic on Parañaque Patriots while former Kia mentor Chris Gavina will call the shots for Valenzuela, led by ex-pro Paolo Hubalde.

Others vying in the tournament are Batangas, Caloocan, Muntinlupa, Quezon City, Imus, Navotas and pre-season champion Bulacan.

“This league is for all the Filipinos,” said league commissioner Kenneth Duremdes, who shared center stage with Arnold Vegafria, MPBL head of production and marketing; Zaldy Realubit, chief of operations; Bai Cristobal, technical head; Satar Macantal, deputy commissioner, and; ABS CBN Integrated Sports chief Dino Laurena during the tourney’s press launch yesterday at the Annabel’s Restaurant in Tomas Morato, Quezon City.

Parañaque and Caloocan kick off hostilities at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.

To lure more fans in the opening rites, league organizers will be giving away 10 motorbikes and a brand new car through a raffle.