MPBL Invitationals on today

MANILA, Philippines — The Chooks-to-Go Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) ushers in a new era as the country’s latest professional league with a loaded opening-day card for its Invitational Tournament at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

Hostilities begin at 9:30 a.m. featuring the Iloilo United Royals versus the Negros Muscovados followed by a collision between former champion San Juan Go For Gold AICC and Val City-MJAS Zenith at 1:30 p.m.

The All-Star Bacolod Ballers and Bacoor City Strikers then clash at 4 p.m. before the face-offs between the Bulacan Kuyas and Imus Bandera at 6:30 p.m. then the Bicol Volcanoes and Jumbo Plastic Basilan at 9 p.m.

Twenty-two teams divided into four groups are in the mix in the launch of the MPBL as a pro league.

The top two teams from each group will advance to the knockout playoffs of the tourney slated until Dec. 23 with the champion winning the grand prize of P2 million.