The Games and Amusements Board (GAB) and the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) are stepping up their collaborative efforts to protect the integrity of professional basketball and combat game-fixing.
During the MPBL’s courtesy visit to GAB Chairman Atty. Francisco Rivera, both sides discussed stronger monitoring, information-sharing, and preventive measures to detect and deter potential game manipulation in the league.
The discussions came amid recent concerns surrounding MPBL games, prompting the league to take immediate disciplinary action while GAB reviews the matter within its regulatory mandate.
“Protecting the integrity of professional sports requires a whole-of-sports approach.”
Rivera underscored that protecting the integrity of professional sports requires a whole-of-sports approach, with leagues, regulators, players, and other stakeholders working together to identify risks and act swiftly on irregularities.
Among the measures discussed was closer coordination with the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) and licensed gaming stakeholders, particularly in monitoring betting patterns that may help identify potentially suspicious games.
The MPBL also presented plans to strengthen its on-site monitoring system, including the deployment of additional personnel around game venues and team areas.
The league is likewise exploring measures to better monitor activities before, during, and after games.
Both parties also discussed the importance of educating players and team personnel on their responsibilities under professional sports regulations and the consequences of violating the GAB Code of Ethics.
“Our players are entrusted with a license to compete professionally, and with that license comes a responsibility to uphold the integrity of the game.”
“We have to protect the integrity of professional sports. Our players are entrusted with a license to compete professionally, and with that license comes a responsibility to uphold the integrity of the game,” he stressed.
The GAB and MPBL agreed that the fight against game-fixing cannot rely solely on disciplinary action after an incident. Prevention, early detection, coordinated monitoring, and decisive action must work together to safeguard the credibility of professional basketball.
The collaborative measures discussed intend to ensure sporting fans that every professional competition is played fairly, responsibly, and trust.
