MANILA, Philippines – Matapos ang matagumpay na 15th year, bubuksan ng Millennium Basketball League (MBL) ang bagong taon sa pamamagitan ng MBL First Confe-rence basketball championship sa Rizal Coliseum.
Ang tournament ay inaasahang lalahukan ng pi-ling commercial at collegiate teams sa bansa.
“Ang ilang teams na inaasahang sasali sa season-opening tournament ay ang defending champion Gerry’s Grill-Diliman College at runner-up Wang’s Ballclub-AMA University, newly-crowned Don Mariano Garing Cup champion Macway Travel Club at former MBL champion Hobe Bihon.
Inimbitahan din ang V Hotel- University of Santo Tomas, Franzie Cologne, Arellano University, Naughty Needlez-Philippine Christian University, Fly Dragon, Tean Panda, Lyceum of the Philippines, Centro Escolar University, De Ocampo Memorial College, Polytechnic University of the Philippines, St. Clare College-Caloocan, Fatima University at Colegio de San Lorenzo.
Ang tournament format ay single-round elimination kung saan ang top two teams ay awtomatikong uusad sa semis na may twice-to-beat advantages. Ang No. 3 team ay sasagupa sa No. 6 squad habang ang No. 4 team ay haharap sa No. 5 squad sa dalawang knockout semis matches.