2023 MPBL season | |
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League | Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League |
Sport | Basketball |
Duration | Regular season: March 11 – October 3, 2023 Playoffs: October 6 – November 17, 2023 Finals: November 25 – December 2, 2023 |
Number of games | 405 (regular season) 28 (playoffs) |
Number of teams | 29 |
TV partner(s) | Cignal TV (One PH, One Sports+, Media Pilipinas TV, Cignal Play, Pilipinas Live) |
Regular season | |
Top seed | Pampanga Giant Lanterns |
Season MVP | Justine Baltazar (Pampanga) |
Playoffs | |
North Division champions | Pampanga Giant Lanterns |
North Division runners-up | San Juan Knights |
South Division champions | Bacoor City Strikers |
South Division runners-up | Batangas City Embassy Chill |
Finals | |
Champions | Pampanga Giant Lanterns |
Runners-up | Bacoor City Strikers |
Finals MVP | Justine Baltazar (Pampanga) |
The 2023 MPBL season was the fifth season of the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) and the second as a professional league. The regular season began on March 11, 2023 with the opening ceremonies at the Quezon Convention Center in Lucena. The 2023 MPBL All-Star Game was held at Bataan People's Center in Balanga, Bataan on September 16. The league took two breaks during the regular season, during Holy Week and during the Philippines' co-hosting of the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup.[1] The playoffs then began on October 6 and ended on December 2 when the Pampanga Giant Lanterns defeated the Bacoor City Strikers in three games in the 2023 MPBL finals.[2]
This season featured 29 teams, which included two expansion teams: the Negros Muscovados and the Quezon Huskers.
OKBet continued to be the league's title sponsor throughout the regular season.[3]
This season featured two new expansion teams. After competing in the 2021 Invitational, the Negros Muscovados marked their full-time arrival this season. The Quezon Huskers also made their league debut, giving every province in the Calabarzon region at least one team. Five teams also made their return to the league, which includes the Bicol Volcanoes, Bulacan Kuyas, Iloilo United Royals, Parañaque Patriots and Pasay Voyagers. This increased the total number of teams from 22 to 29.[1]
Every returning team is allocated to its previous division, with both Negros and Quezon being placed in the South Division. The Rizal Golden Coolers were realigned back to the North Division.
Expansion team | |
Returning team | |
Team switched divisions | |
New arena |
Neutral | ||
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Event | Arena | Capacity |
– | Paco Arena[N] | 1,000 |
Off-season | ||
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Team | Outgoing coach | Incoming coach |
Bacolod City of Smiles | Alexander Angeles | Monel Kallos |
Bulacan Kuyas | Kerwin McCoy | Alvin Grey |
Bacoor City Strikers | Willie Generalao | Alexander Angeles |
Bicol Volcanoes | Monel Kallos | Vis Valencia |
GenSan Warriors | Marlon Martin | Jesus Ramon Pido |
Imus SV Squad | Renniel Cabrera | Jinino Manansala |
Iloilo United Royals | Eric Gonzales | Manu Inigo |
Makati OKBet Kings | Vis Valencia | Don Dulay |
Manila Stars | Maximino Dayandante, Jr. | Tylon Darjuan |
Muntinlupa Cagers | Vincent Salvador | Jack Azcueta |
Pasig City MCW Sports | Ogie Gumatay | Boyet Fernandez |
Quezon City Toda Aksyon | Alvin Grey | Teng Torcuator |
Valenzuela XUR Homes Realty Inc. | Lester Alvarez | Jhon Velasquez |
Mid-season | ||
Bacolod City of Smiles | Monel Kallos | Vincent Salvador |
Bataan Risers | Ricky Dandan | Alex Callueng |
Bicol Volcanoes | Vis Valencia | Jason Santiago |
Bulacan Kuyas | Alvin Grey Jerry Codinera |
Jerry Codinera Joseph Mabagos |
Caloocan Batang Kankaloo | Ronnie Dojillo | Robert Sison |
GenSan Warriors | Jesus Ramon Pido | Rich Alvarez |
Iloilo United Royals | Manu Inigo | MC Abolucion |
Manila Stars | Tylon Darjuan Bam Ledesma |
Bam Ledesma Bimbot Anquilo |
Muntinlupa Cagers | Jack Azcueta | Aldrin Morante |
Negros Pau Muscovados | Rolando Aledron, Jr. | Bonnie Garcia |
Quezon City Toda Aksyon | Teng Torcuator Weng Adina |
Weng Adina Egay Macaraya |
San Juan Knights | Randy Alcantara | Jinggoy Estrada |
Valenzuela XUR Homes Realty Inc. | Jhon Velasquez | Eric Martinez |
Zamboanga Family's Brand Sardines | Vic Ycasiano | Louie Alas |
This season was preceded by the 2023 MPBL Preseason Invitational, which used a similar format to the 2021 Invitational, but downsized because of the smaller eight-team pool. The tournament ran for one week from February 21–27, 2023 at the Lagao Gymnasium in General Santos, the home arena of the GenSan Warriors.[1]
The tournament was won by the Zamboanga Family's Brand Sardines after beating the Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards in the final game with a score of 88–80, with Dexter Maiquez winning MVP honors.[4]
The opening ceremony was held on March 11, 2023 at Quezon Convention Center in Lucena, Quezon. Rapper Andrew E. and singer Marcelito Pomoy were both among the performers to kick off the regular season. Like previous seasons, a muse contest followed wherein some teams took part in.
The first game was between the Rizal Golden Coolers and the Bataan Risers, while the first home game featured the two expansion teams this season, with the Quezon Huskers hosting the Negros Muscovados.
The 29 teams play in a single round-robin format, playing one game against all other teams in the league for a total of 28 games. In each gameday, a series of games is played in a designated home arena, with the home team usually playing in the final game.
The top eight teams in each division will advance to a four-round, single-elimination playoffs, playing in best-of-three series in the first three rounds, and a best-of-five series in the National Finals, with homecourt advantage alternating between the higher seeds of each series in the first two rounds.
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Source: Standings
Rules for classification: 1) Wins; 2a) If two teams are tied, head-to-head match-up; 2b) If three or more teams are tied, head-to-head point quotient; 3) overall point quotient; 4) coin toss. Notes:
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Each team plays every team once. Number of asterisks after each score denotes number of overtimes played.
The 2023 MPBL playoffs began on October 6, 2023.
Teams in bold advanced to the next round. The numbers to the left of each team indicate the team's seeding in its division, and the numbers to the right indicate the number of games the team won in that round. Teams with homecourt advantage, the higher-seeded team, are shown in italics.
First round (best-of-3) | Division semifinals (best-of-3) | Division finals (best-of-3) | National finals (best-of-5) | ||||||||||||||||
N1 | Pampanga | 2 | |||||||||||||||||
N8 | Marikina | 0 | |||||||||||||||||
N1 | Pampanga | 2 | |||||||||||||||||
N4 | Caloocan | 0 | |||||||||||||||||
N4 | Caloocan | 2 | |||||||||||||||||
N5 | Pasig City | 1 | |||||||||||||||||
N1 | Pampanga | 2 | |||||||||||||||||
North Division | |||||||||||||||||||
N6 | San Juan | 0 | |||||||||||||||||
N2 | Nueva Ecija | 2 | |||||||||||||||||
N7 | Pasay | 0 | |||||||||||||||||
N2 | Nueva Ecija | 0 | |||||||||||||||||
N6 | San Juan | 2 | |||||||||||||||||
N3 | Makati | 0 | |||||||||||||||||
N6 | San Juan | 2 | |||||||||||||||||
N1 | Pampanga | 3 | |||||||||||||||||
S1 | Bacoor City | 0 | |||||||||||||||||
S1 | Bacoor City | 2 | |||||||||||||||||
S8 | Iloilo | 1 | |||||||||||||||||
S1 | Bacoor City | 2 | |||||||||||||||||
S4 | Zamboanga | 0 | |||||||||||||||||
S4 | Zamboanga | 2 | |||||||||||||||||
S5 | Quezon | 1 | |||||||||||||||||
S1 | Bacoor City | 2 | |||||||||||||||||
South Division | |||||||||||||||||||
S2 | Batangas City | 0 | |||||||||||||||||
S2 | Batangas City | 2 | |||||||||||||||||
S7 | Imus | 0 | |||||||||||||||||
S2 | Batangas City | 2 | |||||||||||||||||
S3 | General Santos | 1 | |||||||||||||||||
S3 | General Santos | 2 | |||||||||||||||||
S6 | Muntinlupa | 1 |
Team 1 | Series | Team 2 | Game 1 | Game 2 | Game 3 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
(1) Pampanga Giant Lanterns | 2–0 | (8) Marikina Shoemasters | 82–70 | 81–61 | — |
(2) Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards | 2–0 | (7) Pasay Voyagers | 85–81 | 71–62 | — |
(3) Makati OKBet Kings | 0–2 | (6) San Juan Knights | 84–95 | 92–95 (2OT) | — |
(4) Caloocan Batang Kankaloo | 2–1 | (5) Pasig City MCW Sports | 71–69 | 61–65 | 68–60 |
Team 1 | Series | Team 2 | Game 1 | Game 2 | Game 3 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
(1) Bacoor City Strikers | 2–1 | (8) Iloilo United Royals | 86–89 | 92–52 | 72–61 |
(2) Batangas City Embassy Chill | 2–0 | (7) Imus SV Squad | 78–71 | 61–59 | — |
(3) GenSan Warriors | 2–1 | (6) Muntinlupa Cagers | 79–70 | 91–99 | 85–78 |
(4) Zamboanga Family's Brand Sardines | 2–1 | (5) Quezon Huskers | 77–68 | 58–65 | 88–76 |
Team 1 | Series | Team 2 | Game 1 | Game 2 | Game 3 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
(1) Pampanga Giant Lanterns | 2–0 | (4) Caloocan Batang Kankaloo | 74–63 | 93–77 | — |
(2) Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards | 0–2 | (6) San Juan Knights | 82–86 | 80–88 | — |
Team 1 | Series | Team 2 | Game 1 | Game 2 | Game 3 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
(1) Bacoor City Strikers | 2–0 | (4) Zamboanga Family's Brand Sardines | 61–56 | 78–72 | — |
(2) Batangas City Embassy Chill | 2–1 | (3) GenSan Warriors | 81–75 | 55–61 | 66–62 |
Team 1 | Series | Team 2 | Game 1 | Game 2 | Game 3 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
(1) Pampanga Giant Lanterns | 2–0 | (6) San Juan Knights | 86–82 | 82–76 | — |
Team 1 | Series | Team 2 | Game 1 | Game 2 | Game 3 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
(1) Bacoor City Strikers | 2–0 | (2) Batangas City Embassy Chill | 89–68 | 54–49 | — |
Team 1 | Series | Team 2 | Game 1 | Game 2 | Game 3 | Game 4 | Game 5 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
(N1) Pampanga Giant Lanterns | 3–0 | (S1) Bacoor City Strikers | 71–58 | 68–65 | 82–77 | — | — |
The 2023 MPBL All-Star Game, the league's fourth overall, took place on September 16, 2023 at the Bataan People's Center in Balanga, Bataan, the home arena of the Bataan Risers. The North Division finally won against the South Division after three seasons, with a score of 99–91, with All-Star MVP honors going to Justine Baltazar.
Category | Player | Team | Statistic |
---|---|---|---|
Points per game | Jeff Viernes | Sarangani Marlins | 17.7 |
Rebounds per game | Justine Baltazar | Pampanga Giant Lanterns | 16.9 |
Assists per game | Paulo Hubalde | Mindoro Disiplinados | 8.3 |
Steals per game | Jeckster Apinan | Batangas City Embassy Chill | 2.3 |
Blocks per game | Jason Ballesteros | Pasig City MCW Sports | 1.5 |
Fouls per game | Jamil Gabawan Ryan Ongteco |
Bataan Risers Iloilo United Royals |
3.2 |
Minutes per game | Justine Baltazar | Pampanga Giant Lanterns | 31.3 |
FG% | Justine Baltazar | Pampanga Giant Lanterns | 54.4% |
FT% | Rafael Are | Sarangani Marlins | 83.1% |
3FG% | Rodel Vaygan | Mindoro Disiplinados | 43.7% |
Category | Team | Statistic |
---|---|---|
Points per game | Pampanga Giant Lanterns | 88.9 |
Rebounds per game | Pampanga Giant Lanterns | 55.8 |
Assists per game | Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards | 25.7 |
Steals per game | Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards | 10.4 |
Blocks per game | Marikina Shoemasters | 3.9 |
Turnovers per game | Bicol Volcanoes | 17.8 |
Most of the league's individual awards were given out on November 28, 2023 before game 2 of the National Finals series at the Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center in San Fernando, Pampanga.[9] The Finals Most Valuable Player and Coach of the Year were awarded at the conclusion of the national finals on December 2, 2023 at Strike Gymnasium in Bacoor, Cavite.[10]
Two new awards were introduced this season, those being the Most Improved Player and the Impact Player of the Year.
Award | Recipient | Team |
---|---|---|
Most Valuable Player | Justine Baltazar | Pampanga Giant Lanterns |
Finals Most Valuable Player | Justine Baltazar | Pampanga Giant Lanterns |
Defensive Player of the Year | Jason Ballesteros | Pasig City MCW Sports |
Rookie of the Year | Adrian Nocum | San Juan Knights |
Homegrown Player of the Year | Cris Masaglang | GenSan Warriors |
Most Improved Player | Jhan Nermal | Bacoor City Strikers |
Impact Player of the Year | Poypoy Actub | Imus SV Squad |
Coach of the Year | Dennis Pineda | Pampanga Giant Lanterns |
Executive of the Year | Manuel Carlos Ilagan Jr. | Bataan Risers |
Sportsmanship award | Jay-R Taganas | Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards |
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This is the first season in which the league awarded the Player of the Week award during the playoffs, during which it is called the Playoffs Performer of the Week. It is only given out during the first two rounds of the playoffs.
Week | Player | Ref. |
---|---|---|
Regular season | ||
March 11–18, 2023 | Jerick Nacpil (Bulacan Kuyas) | |
March 20–26, 2023 | Jimboy Estrada (Imus SV Squad) | |
March 27 – April 1, 2023 | Shane Menina (Pasig City MCW Sports) | |
April 3–4, 2023 | Not awarded | |
April 13–15, 2023 | Troy Mallillin (Rizal Golden Coolers) | |
April 17–22, 2023 | Laurenz Victoria (Pasay Voyagers) | |
April 24–29, 2023 | Agem Miranda (Oriental Mindoro Disiplinados) | |
May 1–6, 2023 | Justine Baltazar (Pampanga Giant Lanterns) (1/6) | |
May 8–13, 2023 | Justine Baltazar (Pampanga Giant Lanterns) (2/6) | |
May 15–20, 2023 | Justine Baltazar (Pampanga Giant Lanterns) (3/6) | |
May 22–27, 2023 | Jhan Nermal (Bacoor City Strikers) (1/2) | |
May 29 – June 3, 2023 | Jeff Viernes (Sarangani Marlins) | |
June 5–10, 2023 | Justine Baltazar (Pampanga Giant Lanterns) (4/6) | |
June 12–17, 2023 | Jhan Nermal (Bacoor City Strikers) (2/2) | |
June 19–24, 2023 | Jaymar Gimpayan (Imus SV Squad) | |
June 26 – July 1, 2023 | Justine Baltazar (Pampanga Giant Lanterns) (5/6) | |
July 3–8, 2023 | Ryan Costelo (Pasig City MCW Sports) | |
July 10–15, 2023 | Omar Larupay (Iloilo United Royals) | |
July 17–22, 2023 | Justine Baltazar (Pampanga Giant Lanterns) (6/6) | |
July 24–29, 2023 | Mark Sarangay (Bacolod Maskaras) | |
July 31 – August 5, 2023 | Keith Agovida (Makati OKBet Kings) | |
August 7–12, 2023 | Poypoy Actub (Imus SV Squad) | |
August 14–19, 2023 | Yves Sazon (Bataan Risers) | |
August 21–24, 2023 | Not awarded | |
September 11–14, 2023 | Ian Melencio (Muntinlupa Cagers) | |
September 18–23, 2023 | Rodel Gravera (Quezon Huskers) | |
September 25–30, 2023 | Not awarded | |
Playoffs | ||
October 6–7, 2023 | Gabby Espinas (Caloocan Batang Kankaloo) | |
October 9–14, 2023 | Robbie Manalang (Pasig City MCW Sports) | |
October 16–21, 2023 | Ian Melencio (Muntinlupa Cagers) | |
October 24–28, 2023 | Orlan Wamar Jr. (San Juan Knights) | |
November 3–4, 2023 | Michael Calisaan (San Juan Knights) |
The league's youth-oriented counterpart, the Junior MPBL, began its inaugural 2023 season on July 9, 2023 at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.[13] The following tournaments took place during the 2023 professional season.
Age Group | Division | Champion | Series | Runner-up |
---|---|---|---|---|
14-Under | North | Mindoro Junior Disiplinados | 2–1 | Quezon City 828 Junior Giants |
South | Cavite City Aces Solar | 2–1 | Leyte XUR Homes | |
Overall | Cavite City Aces Solar | 2–0 | Mindoro Junior Disiplinados | |
16-Under | North | Quezon City 828 Junior Giants | 2–1 | Pampanga Giant Lanterns |
South | Davao Red Cubs | 2–1 | Bauan Cafe Uno | |
Overall | Davao Red Cubs | 2–0 | Quezon City 828 Junior Giants | |
18-Under | North | Mandaluyong Junior Microsmith | 2–1 | Rizal Switch Fiber |
South | Davao Red Cubs | 2–0 | Bauan Cafe Uno | |
Overall | Mandaluyong Junior Microsmith | 2–1 | Davao Red Cubs |
This season marked the second year of Cignal TV's ongoing television broadcast rights with the league. Carrying over from the previous season, games were also broadcast on One PH and One Sports+, the latter was only used for the Invitational tournament. Since April 13, Media Pilipinas TV (MPTV) began broadcasting all games.
This season saw an expansion of the league's streaming portfolio. Cignal's Pilipinas Live began streaming games in June 2023, while Bola.TV began in August 2023. The league continued to broadcast its games on Facebook, YouTube, and Cignal Play.