The Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League has decided to loosen its regulations surrounding the hiring of previous professionals by the clubs participating in the MPBL’s 2004 Season, which begins on March 16. This decision is expected to spark a mad race for experienced talents.

In contrast to the previous season, when all 29 clubs were limited to fielding seven professionals, this year they are free to field as many as possible in their 22-man rosters.

The sole rules are that there can only be 15 players per game and that the roster must include at least three homegrown players.

College leagues like the UAAP and NCAA may also field players with SGL (Special Guest Licenses) from the Games and Amusements Board.

Following a recent meeting of the top regional cage league in the nation, Manny Pacquiao, the founder of the MPBL, made the necessary revisions.

Along with the announcement of Pangasinan’s admittance as the newest franchise in the league, there will be a preseason tournament in GenSan from February 20–27, coinciding with the city’s Kalinangan Festival.

Commissioner Kenneth Duremdes said on Tuesday that Abra had also succeeded in beating the deadline and would be joining the MPBL Sixth Season.

Red flags were raised against 47 players and team officials, who were then banned from the MPBL in an effort to end game-fixing.

Along with Pacquiao and Duremdes, Executive Officer Joe Ramos and Operations Head Emmer Oreta attended the team owners’ meeting at the Conrad Hotel.

The Pampanga Giant Lanterns won the Fifth Season, which was extremely successful for the team. The MPBL posted a record reach of 35.5 million, attracted about 33 million visits, had 6 million content interactions, and acquired over a million Facebook fans.