By Jerome Lagunzad This early, several provinces from all corners of the Philippine archipelago are already lining up to join the next conference of the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League. Representatives from Danao City, Cebu, and Masbate, along with other interested parties, have expressed their desire to form teams that will see action in the fledging home-and-away tourney which is a brainchild of Senator Manny Pacquiao. On behalf of player agent and board member Matthew Manotoc, some Ilocos Norte officials and their counterparts from key cities of Laguna, Sta. Rosa, Binan, and San Pedro, also showed up during a meeting for potential expansion teams hosted by Pacquiao at the Shangri-La Plaza in Makati City last Wednesday night. “‘Yan naman talaga ang gusto natin, ‘yung magkaroon tayo ng liga para sa lahat ng Pilpino. Maliit man o malaki, may opportunity sila dito,” said Pacquiao, who earlier expressed his optimism that the fledging tourney can serve as the local version of the National Basketball Association. So far, 10 cities and provinces from Luzon, in partnership with their respective corporate sponsors, are vying for the bragging rights in the inaugural conference known as the Anta Rajah Cup. They are Batangas City, Quezon City, Valenzuela, Muntinlupa, Bulacan, Navotas, Paranaque, Bataan, Imus, and Caloocan. Pasig City, which also saw action in the defunct Metropolitan Basketball Association, the precursor of MPBL, appears committed to joining the next wave of expansion as its representatives even gave Pacquiao and commissioner Kenneth Duremdes a replica jersey of the Pasig Pirates. Even former Senator Jinggoy Estrada is keen on reviving the San Juan Knights behind the group was headed by former national team coach Francis Rodriguez. Makati City could also participate as well as Bacoor City, Cavite. Down south, there’s also strong interest that the Cebuano brand of basketball will be featured, with former pro stars Al Solis and Bonel Balingit likely to lead the creation of the team. “Matagal-tagal na rin kasi silang walang liga sa Cebu,” said Duremdes. So far, an MPBL franchise is now worth P10-million and the mode of payment is P4-million initial and P500,000 per month until the team completes full payment. A P200,000 tournament fee per conference and P200,000 bond should also be imposed. The bond, based on the earlier agreement between league organizers and team owners, will be the source of fees that will be paid by players and coaches due to fines. However, the bond will be returned to all ballclubs right after the tournament. There’s also a strong clamor that Taguig City will join the league, with renowned entrepreneur Ben Chan of clothing brand BENCH likely to bankroll the squad. Representatives from NLEX, under telecommunications tycoon Manuel V. Pangilinan, also showed up and appeared interested to form a team. But they’re still figuring it out what city or province will be their tie-up.