MPBL bans ex-pro Ronjay Buenafe while opening up one-week trading period

FILE: Commissioner Kenneth Duremdes announced that due to their violation of rules, Mandaluyong’s win will be nullified and the match will be replayed – this time, without the presence of Buenafe who has been banned from the league’s Datu Cup. (Photo: Quezon City Capitals/Facebook)

Senator Manny Pacquiao’s Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) has made a few announcements following ‘the longest half-time break in the league yet’ when the Quezon City Capitals refused to leave the dugout for about 45 minutes after the second quarter after finding out about the participation of Mandaluyong El Tigre newly acquired former Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) shooting guard Ronjay Buenafe as a violation of the league’s guidelines.

Last Thursday, November 8, the El Tigre defeated the Quezon City capitals 87-76 at Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig. The highest Mandaluyong’s squad led throughout the game was 16 points, at the end of the fourth quarter, with Buenafe scoring a total of 15 points, two rebounds, three assists, and one steal. His performance helped in breaking his team’s five-game losing streak.

One source from the Quezon City team owners shared that they were only given the memo about Buenafe’s participation minutes before the start of the game. It stated, “This is to advice all teams concerned that Ronjay Buenafe will not be playing for Mandaluyong in lieu of Jojo Duncil,” who initially replaced El Tigre’s star player Ray Ray Parks after Parks left the league to represent the Philippines in the ASEAN Basketball League (ABL).

Unfortunately for Team Mandaluyong, after the team owners’ meeting last Saturday, November 11 at the Makati Shangri-La Hotel, Commissioner Kenneth Duremdes announced that due to their violation of rules, Mandaluyong’s win will be nullified and the match will be replayed – this time, without the presence of Buenafe who has been banned from the league’s Datu Cup. After the news, Buenafe took to Facebook and shared, “I know God has a better plan for me.” 

In light of the situation, the Commissioner who was guided by league head Pacquiao also revealed opening up a new trade week that spans from November 12 to Sunday, November 18. The league’s last trade period lapsed on October 24. According to Duremdes, “There were several teams which asked for this, so we decided to  open up a one week trading period to allow these teams to improve their line ups.”