The Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) is poised to make history as it brings the first two games of its 2024 National Finals to Dubai, United Arab Emirates. This groundbreaking move marks the first time a Philippine basketball league will stage its championship series outside of the Philippines, showcasing the league’s commitment to engaging the large Filipino community in the region and promoting the sport on an international level.
Schedule and venue
The much-anticipated games are set to take place at the Sheikh Rashid Bin Hamdan Indoor Hall of Al Nasr Club in Dubai. Game 1 is scheduled for December 1, 2024, while Game 2 will follow on December 3, 2024. Both games will tip off at 7:00 PM Gulf Standard Time (11:00 PM Philippine Time), promising two evenings of thrilling basketball action.
Ticket details
Fans eager to witness this historic event can purchase tickets starting at Dh200. According to the Ticketsfy website, seating categories are priced as follows:
- Gold A, B, C, D: Dh200 per day
- Platinum A and B: Dh300 per day
Participating teams
Pampanga Giant Lanterns: The defending champions have secured their second consecutive North Division title after defeating the San Juan Knights in a competitive series. The team’s dynamic performance has set high expectations for their showing in Dubai.
Quezon Huskers: The team earned their place in the finals by winning their first South Division championship, overcoming the formidable Batangas City Tanduay Rum Masters in a best-of-three series.
Special exhibition game
Adding to the excitement, an exhibition game featuring MPBL Founder and CEO Manny Pacquiao will be held. Pacquiao’s team will face off against the Kris Fade Team, a local all-star lineup from Dubai. This special match promises to be an electrifying showcase of talent and a nod to the strong connection between the Filipino community and Dubai’s diverse sports scene. David John of DJMC, the event organizer, confirmed this thrilling addition to The Global Filipino Magazine. He said that around 500 family members and fans of the Pampanga team have booked flights from Manila to Dubai to support the team.
The 2024 Dubai series is organized by DJMC, the same team that successfully hosted the MPBL’s Dubai Invasion in 2019.
Get your tickets here.
