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MPBL’s SOCCSKSARGEN Marlins suspended over alleged game-fixing


The Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) has suspended the entire SOCCSKSARGEN Marlins team for alleged game-fixing.

Senator Manny Pacquiao, the founder of the MPBL, said that he would make sure that all those involved in the game-fixing scam would be arrested and face the appropriate charges.

"This should serve as a serious reminder to all other teams in the MPBL that we are intolerant to any form of cheating and other unsportsmanlike behavior," Pacquiao said.

"We formed MPBL precisely to promote fair play in basketball so I don't want to hear anything that would besmirch the name of the league," he added.

Pacquiao said the alleged game-fixing was already being looked into by the National Bureau of Investigation.

"Sisiguraduhin ko na hindi tayo titigil hangga't hindi sila masampahan ng kaukulang kaso. Sisiguraduhin ko makukulong sila at para sa mga nagbabalak pa na gawin ito, mag isip-isip kayo," Pacquiao said.

"Nakikipagtulungan ang NBI para sa imbestigasyon tungkol dito” he added. 

Pacquiao, a former congressmen who represented Saranggani, said he would take over the team management to do some "house cleaning" and remove those who were found involved in the illegal game capers.

He said he already knew the identities of the players and staff who are supposedly involved in the fraud.

Pacquiao said those who have nothing to do with the matter will be spared.

On October 31, MPBL officials issued a memorandum saying that it is ready to name players and teams allegedly involved in game-fixing after a massive investigation. 

"Pursuant to the MPBL's serious drive against game-fixing and all other scheming activities related thereto, and MPBL's serious thrust on clean and credible basketball, the league has requested the assistance of the NBI to investigate on game-fixing activities and other related scheming activities of your team wherein certain management personnel, coaching staff and players are involved," MPBL Commissioner Kenneth Duremdes said in the memo. —NB, GMA News

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