PBA IS CHALLENGED BY NEW MBA CLUB
Manila, Dec. 2, 1997 - A new basketball club in the Philippines aimed to play basketball on television is called the Metropolitan Basketball Association (MBA), with teams owned by Filipino politicians and businessmen.
The team owners are Pangasinan Gov Oscar Orbos, Rep of Davao del Norte, Rodolfo del Rosario, former Marcos crony Danding Cojuangco, Jr., Antonio Gonzales of Mimosa Estates, Bert Lina of Federal Express, Noel Carino of Fil-Estateland Inc., Philip Lhuillier of famed pawnshop chain, former PBA player Chito Loyzaga and University of Iloilo president Robert Lopez Puckett.
The 12 teams will play for the MBA's inaugural season which opens on March 7, 1998 over UHF Channel 23 and the Sarimanok Network of ABS-CBN. The teams will represent Metro Manila, Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. The players would come from collegiate ranks.
The new club is similar to the National Basketball Association (NBA) of the US where states battle for the crown.
Reported by: Sol Jose Vanzi
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