MPBL down to 29 teams as Tarlac officially dropped from participants

By Ivan Saldajeno

LUCENA—The Tarlac United Force are no longer joining the MPBL.

The league said in a statement on Tuesday that the club, which is supposed to make its debut this season, had to be taken off the list of participating teams due to financial concerns.

"Due to the team's unfulfilled financial obligations despite numerous requests and demands by the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League to rectify the situation, the Tarlac United Force will no longer be part of the 2024 MPBL Season," the MPBL said.

Tarlac was the last team to publicly signify their intent to join the MPBL, completing what was initially a 30-club cast.

With the United Force gone, though, the participating teams this year are now down to 29.

Also, it means that PFL club United City remains as the only professional sports franchise that represents Tarlac. 

The United Force were supposed to open their campaign on Thursday night on the road at Batang Kankaloo, but with the development, the game is now deemed canceled.

However, the other two games for the night at the Caloocan Sports Complex will push through as scheduled: San Juan against Marikina at 4 p.m. and Paranaque versus Iloilo at 6 p.m.

Meanwhile, in the early Tuesday night results at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay, Negros edged Bicolandia, 75-68, and Zamboanga ripped Mindoro, 86-72.

Box Scores:

First Game

NEGROS 75 - Palma 20, Cruz 18, Cani 11, Atabay 11, Una 5, Ludovice 5, Mahinay 2, Comia 2, Caunan 1, Geolingo 0, Antiporda 0, Longa 0, Alcaide 0, Ramos 0, Capobres 0.

BICOL 68 - Lee 16, Rojas 14, Go 8, Deles 8, Alanes 8, Burgos 5, Gallego 3, Reyes 2, Javier 2, Casajeros 2, Yu 0, Llanera 0, Alfonso 0, Manaug 0, Macaballug 0.

Quarterscores: 16-10, 31-24, 57-51, 75-68

Second Game

ZAMBOANGA 86 - Jc Marcelino 19, Barcuma 11, Gabayni 10, Apolonio 7, Tansingco 7, Santos 7, Jv Marcelino 7, Terso 6, Ignacio 3, Subido 3, Publico 3, Solis 2, Omega 1, Celestino 0, Mahari 0.

MINDORO 72 - Desiderio 19, Reyes 15, Rios 13, Teodoro 9, Aquino 6, Caspe 4, Estrella 3, Ariar 2, Bono 1, Olivares 0, Vaygan 0, Huerto 0, Pableo 0, Lopez 0, Pena 0,

Quarterscores: 20-14, 45-30, 63-51, 86-72

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