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| Iloilo is officially out of the MPBL. MPBL (file photo) |
MANILA—The MPBL pulled the plug on Iloilo's participation in the ongoing season after the club forfeited its last two games.
In a statement on Tuesday, the league said the United Royals have already "abandoned its obligations and participation in the league in clear violation of its franchise agreement and league rules and regulations."
This paved the way for the Manny Pacquiao-led professional cagefest to revoke the Iloilo franchise as well as impose other penalties.
"As a result, the Iloilo franchise has been revoked, and its officers have been permanently banned from the MPBL and are subject to appropriate sanctions and penalties, including but not limited to the indefinite suspension of all league privileges and the enforcement of their outstanding obligations," the MPBL continued.
The league also that it may coordinate with the Games and Amusements Board to conduct an investigation regarding the team's state.
The MPBL said that the probe will look into "potential game manipulation and unpaid financial obligations" alongside other issues that may be surfaced as the investigation goes on.
Returning to the league after taking 2025 off, the United Royals somehow showed competitiveness despite dropping their first two games, only losing to the Bataan Risers by 10 points and the Imus Yankees by eight.
After tallying its first win against Manila, though, Iloilo lost seven of its last eight games against current playoff contenders by intriguingly huge margins, including a 121-49 crushing by Caloocan which stands as the third most lopsided win ever behind San Juan's 146-64 drubbing of Mindoro in 2022 and 131-54 mauling of Makati the year before.
Following a 35-point defeat to the Batangas City Athletics, the United Royals failed to show up in their next game against the Marikina Shoemasters, leading to a 20-0 forfeiture win for the latter.
Word then reached Dugout Philippines that Iloilo disbanded its roster, which in effect also gave Negros a forfeiture win.
Iloilo was supposed to play Pasig on Wednesday night at the latter's home, the Ynares Sports Arena, but the game is now canceled following the former's abandonment.
