Manny Pacquiao-founded league to join East Asia Super League as new partner next season
The Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL), founded by Manny Pacquiao, will join the East Asia Super League (EASL) for the 2026-27 season. The league's reigning champions, the Abra Weavers, will represent the Philippines in the regional competition.
Why it matters
This partnership expands the reach of Philippine basketball and increases the competitive profile of the EASL in the Asian sports market.
The Filipino professional basketball league founded by Manny Pacquiao is joining the East Asia Super League as its newest partner, the regional league announced on Wednesday.
Launched in 2017 by boxing great Pacquiao, 47, the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League’s (MPBL) reigning champions, Abra Weavers, will compete in the 2026-27 EASL season, which tips off in the first week of October.
A young team in the Philippines league, the Weavers joined the MPBL only in 2024, but they quickly established themselves as one of its elite teams before capturing the championship in just their second season.
“This is a proud moment for the MPBL,” Pacquiao, the eight-weight world champion, said. “From the beginning, our vision has been to create opportunities for Filipino basketball to continue growing. The Abra Weavers have shown what is possible when a team represents its community with ambition, discipline and pride.
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