MANILA, Philippines — The recent inclusion of content creator Joel Ravanera, popularly known as Malupiton, in the Binan Tatal Gel roster of the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) has sparked debate among basketball purists, including former Gerry Esplana and Jerry Codinera. Both expressed reservations about allowing non-traditional players from social media or entertainment backgrounds into professional-level leagues.

Esplana emphasized that professional basketball should be separated from content-driven appearances, warning that introducing personalities primarily for views could undermine the quality and integrity of the league. “We need to draw the line. Do we want the audience to see serious basketball or just antics?” he said, recalling Malupiton’s court debut, which included a grand entrance, street clothes, and accompanying vloggers.

Codinera echoed the concern, noting that the credibility of respected coaches like Boyet Fernandez could be compromised if players are perceived as participating mainly for entertainment. He stressed that in a country where basketball is deeply loved, fans expect serious gameplay and dedication, not just a performance for social media.

Both legends suggested that content creators like Malupiton might first prove themselves in lower-tier leagues as a “stepping stone” before entering professional competition, highlighting the tension between entertainment, fan engagement, and traditional sports standards.

This debate underscores a broader question facing modern sports: as social media and influencer culture increasingly intersect with professional athletics, how should leagues balance entertainment value with competitive integrity? Will the drive for online engagement risk diluting the very essence of the sport? (Larawan mula: Basketball Breakdown / Facebook, Fastbreak)