MPBL, Solar Sports renew broadcast partnership

MANILA, Philippines -- The Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) will stay with the home TV broadcast network of its founder Manny Pacquiao for the second straight season.

Led by Pacquiao, the MPBL on Wednesday renewed its broadcast deal with Solar Sports, which aired majority of his boxing fights during his heydays in time for the top regional league’s much-awaited eighth season on April 10.

“Malaking tulong ito sa MPBL na lumawak pa ang ating coverage. It’s a great opportunity for both MPBL and Solar Sports. Sana lalong magtagumpay at lumago pa lalo ang ating coverage,” said the world boxing legend after inking the renewed tie-up with Solar Sports top brass Wilson (president and CEO) and William (chairman) Tieng, who served as godfathers of his children, at the Solar Century Tower in Makati Wednesday.

“We’re expecting to have good games every day. Kahit ako, excited din ako manood. Abangan nyo po ang MPBL 2026.”

And fans indeed should expect an electric season on demand at the different cities or at the comfort of their homes with a wider and bigger coverage from Solar Sports, which is accessible at Channel 21 on free TV in the Greater Manila Area and on up to 200 cable channels nationwide.

From six games a week last year, Solar Sports is elevating the fan TV experience with 12 games a week this season with three games each day during Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

The longtime sports TV network will also broadcast all games of the playoffs regardless of the schedule while the MPBL, featuring a total of in-house 15 commentators, analysts and courtside reporters, will have a simultaneous online broadcast of all the games on Facebook and YouTube.

“Ang Solar Sports ay Solar Sports. Home talaga ni Sir Manny ang Solar Sports. Solar Sports is equal with Sir Manny. Nahirapan kami after pandemic pero good thing active na kami ulit at nagbabalik sa sports, of course with the MPBL,” said chief financial officer Kenneth Yumang as Solar Sports also airs the Shakey’s Super League, V-League, UCAL, PSAA, NAASCU and Metro Manila leagues across all sports.

“Unang-una, nagpapasalamat kami sa Solar Sports na nabigyan ulit kami ng chance. It’s an integral part of our program na mas ma-promote pa yung liga. At yung vision ni Sen. Manny na maipakita pa talaga sa mas maraming tao ang MPBL,” added MPBL Commissioner Emmerson Oreta.

The MPBL for now has 26 teams but is still finalizing more applicants to make it to up to 30 teams before it rolls off on April 10 in Caloocan and Laguna for the North and South Division openers, respectively. The eighth season will run until December, featuring a bevy of UAAP and NCAA collegiate stars before their jump to the PBA for the rookie draft early next year.

Reigning champions Abra Solid North Weavers, led by Dave Ildefonso, loom as the favorite to defend the crown albeit with an expected challenge from the opposition led by last season’s runners-up and South Division champions Quezon Huskers.