Chooks MPBL Invitational opens with fans expected back in stands

The 2021 Chooks-to-Go Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League Invitational will open with fans back in the stands to witness the start of the pocket tournament on Saturday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

The tournament will tip-off at 9:30 a.m. with a game between the Iloilo United Royals and Negros Muscovados. There will also be an opening ceremony scheduled for 12 noon.

The Pasay local government unit and the Games and Amusements Board have given the MPBL, recently-accredited as a professional league, the green light to hold its games at 50-percent audience capacity, though the league plans to bring the fans along gradually in the interest of safety.

"We all know that the fans are excited to be allowed back inside the SM Mall of Asia Arena," Chooks-to-Go president Ronald Mascariñas said.

"The first two days though will be our test on how we can fully bring the fans back at the MOA Arena. If our protocols prove to be safe, we will gradually bring more fans in and, hopefully, have 7,500 fully-vaccinated fans inside the venue come the playoffs."

For the first two playing days, 300 tickets will be given away at the venue on a first-come, first-serve basis for fans with valid ID and proof of full vaccination.

Also in action on opening day are San Juan Knights-Go for Gold AICC, Val City-MJAS Zenith, All-Star Bacolod Ballers, Bacoor Strikers, Bulacan Kuyas, Imus Bandera-Buracai de Laiya, Bicol Volcanoes-LCC Malls, and Basilan-Jumbo Plastic Medical Depot.

—JMB, GMA News