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| Emmer Oreta (left) and Kenneth Duremdes (third from left) got new positions ahead of MPBL Season 8. MPBL (file photo) |
MANILA--A new era begins for the MPBL as two of its key officials got new positions ahead of the regional league's eighth season.
As announced on Saturday, Emmer Oreta was named the MPBL's new commissioner, replacing Kenneth Duremdes.
Oreta, a former Southeast Asian Games gold medalist and four-time PBA champion, served as the MPBL's head of operations since the league was founded in 2018.
"I am grateful for the trust given to me by our MPBL founder and chairman, Manny Pacquiao, and I am honored to serve the league in its capacity. I am committed to upholding the integrity of the league while working closely with our teams and shareholders," Oreta said.
Duremdes, though, will stay put as the former PBA MVP will now be the MPBL's new president, which means he will work hand in hand with Pacquiao in leading the way for the league.
"I am deeply honored by the trust given to me by our founder, Manny Pacquiao. Having served as commissioner, I've seen firsthand the passion of our teams, players, and communities. As president, my focus is to strengthen the league, uphold integrity, and continue providing opportunities for Filipino talent across the country," said Duremdes, who was the MPBL's commissioner during its first seven years.
Another PBA legend, Zaldy Realubit, makes a return to the MPBL's front office as he will now take over Oreta's previous position as head of operations.
Realubit was part of the league's management during its first three seasons from 2018-2021, but temporarily left afterward.
Season 7 last year, the fourth full year since the MPBL was formally given professional status by the Games and Amusements Board in 2021, drew nearly 30 million views on YouTube.
Despite a temporary hiccup wherein its official Facebook page was taken down before it was successfully retrieved, the MPBL also got more than 477 million views on the said social media site.
The national finals between Quezon and Abra drew almost 10.5 million views combined on Facebook and YouTube.
The Weavers eventually capped a dream championship season by sweeping the best-of-five finals against the Huskers to complete a 36-game winning streak, the longest in all of Philippine professional sports for a single season.
MPBL Season 8 is tentatively scheduled for a March start.
