MPBL just signed the player that can push them to PBA-level popularity

MPBL is making big strides in their first year as a league that PBA should better look out! 

The Marikina Shoemasters enlisted a showbiz star named Gerald Anderson!

And this signing could have a great effect on the future of the league.

Why?

In the short-term, his name alone should be able to allure millions of casual fans. Gerald Henderson is a white-collar and respectable actor that will intrigue those millions of un-informed basketball fans in the country.

And the majority of those newly attracted fans should be able to find a team that they can support, other than Marikina. Why? Because the teams in the league are provinces and cities around the country!

Like, people in Visayas can cheer for the team coming from Cebu. The fans from Mindanao can support the squads originating from Mindanao.

Increase in fans and popularity should further entice the current TV provider of MPBL, ABS-CBN, to provide more flexible time for the league.

In the long-term, Anderson could be the key to MPBL overtaking the PBA in the eyes of the Filipino fans. 

There is one requirement though, Gerald should at least be an average player in the MPBL. And the comment of the coach of Shoemasters should make us believe that. “Hindi ko kukunin yan kung hindi magaling.”

Now, if he can be an average player in the upcoming Cup, we can expect at least one or two more showbiz stars to follow him in the league!

And if that happens, every conscious Filipino will then be familiar with the league. And the home-and-away format of the league should help them affiliate with the league, much faster than the PBA.

Just think about it, what will happen if Daniel Padilla finds a path to the MPBL? Remember the news before that he will join AMA in the PBA D-League? That was a hit in the social media!

Superstars are the pillars of a league. MPBL may just found one.