They may have signed Ray Parks Jr., but the Mandaluyong El Tigre lost Lawrence Domingo in the process.

Initially El Tigre wanted to play both San Miguel Alab Pilipinas players in the coming season of the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League.

But since they have to honor the league rule of 1 “Fil-foreign” player per team, they were forced to choose 2-time ASEAN basketball League MVP Parks, son of the late PBA great Bobby Parks.

“(Domingo’s) not in the lineup anymore cause of the 1 Fil-Am per team rule,” Mandaluyong head coach Mac Cuan told ABS-CBN News on Tuesday.

• MPBL: Team officials react to league ruling on ‘Fil-foreign’ players

“He could have really helped the team but we also have to respect the rule of the league.”

This, however, would not dampen their hopes of giving opposing teams a competitive fight.

“Just like any team you adjust and make the most of what you have and I think we have capable guys who can make us competitive this season,” Cuan said.

Mandaluyong will open its campaign against Muntinlupa in the 9:30 p.m. main game when the league opens on June 12 at Araneta Coliseum.

Also joining Parks in Mandaluyong is JR Alabanza, former La Salle stalwarts Prince Rivero and Thomas Torres and ex-pros Mac Andaya and Jeff Javillonar, former MPBL stalwarts who decided to join the El Tigre's lair after suiting up for different teams in the inaugural staging Anta Rajah Cup won by the Batangas City Athletics-Tanduay.

Celebrity baller Gerald Anderson will spearhead the Shoemasters of Marikina as the squad faces the General Santos City Warriors at 7:30 p.m.

A solid ball player, Anderson was supposed to play commercial ball when he was discovered by “Pinoy Big Brother” of ABS-CBN years back.

• MPBL: Team officials react to league ruling on ‘Fil-foreign’ players

This season's MPBL will have 26 teams competing and they will be evenly divided into two groups -- the North and the South Division.

They're grouped not necessarily because of the geographical location as there were only 5 teams from the south. Each team will play 25 games in the elimination round.

The top 8 squads from each group will advance to the playoffs, where teams belonging to the same group will play in a best-of-3 quarterfinals series with the top seed playing the No. 8 squad, No. 2 playing No. 7, No. 3 playing No. 6, and No. 4 playing No. 5.

The semifinals and division finals will also be a best-of-3 series before the champions of both divisions will face off in the best-of-5 national championship.

For more sports coverage, visit the ABS-CBN Sports website.