In the light of the memorandum released on Friday, Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League’s Commissioner Kenneth Duremdes reminded that due to the VisMin Super Cup and the NBL being declared as professional leagues, such repercussions will take effect the same as the league treats former PBA and ABL players.

“Any team or player who will participate in the forthcoming VisMin Super Cup Visayas leg or any other professional league shall be considered as professionals by [the] MPBL and therefore by playing in the MPBL future games they will be considered as ex-pros and thereby subject to the limitations set forth by the rules and by-laws of [the] MPBL,” Duremdes said in the memo.

Under the league’s rule, MPBL only allows seven ex-pros in its line-ups with five being allowed during games.

In addition, each team will be required to have at least three homegrown talents and only one Filipino-foreign player who does not reach a height above 6-foot-4.

MPBL kept its semi-pro status and has repelled to turn professional even during the spike of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The memo will affect a number of MPBL players in what is seen as a declaration of war against leagues such as the Vismin Cu; players have already committed to play in the Vismin Cup and other regional leagues. 

Basilan transferred to VisMin early last week which the league will tip off on April 9, while Val City will carry Talisay City in the pro league.

On the other hand, the Mindanao leg will start its season in the third week of May.

The MPBL is expected to launch its fourth season on a traditional note, that is, on June 12.