2023 MPBL playoffs

Playoffs for the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League's 2023 season

2023 MPBL playoffs2023 Nexus88 MPBL Playoffs presented by Xtreme

Tournament details
Country| Philippines
Dates| October 6 – December 2, 2023
Teams| 16
Defending champions| Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards
Final positions
Champions| Pampanga Giant Lanterns
Runner-up| Bacoor City Strikers
Semifinalists|

* San Juan Knights
* Batangas City Embassy Chill

Tournament statistics
Matches played| 36

<- 2022

2024 ->

The 2023 MPBL playoffs was the postseason tournament of the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League's 2023 season, the league's fifth overall, and the fourth under the 16-team format. The postseason tournament began on October 6, three days after the end of the regular season, and ended on December 2, 2023.[1]

For sponsorship reasons, this playoff series is known as the 2023 Nexus88 MPBL Playoffs presented by Xtreme.

## Overview[edit]

### Updates to playoff appearances[edit]

* The Pampanga Giant Lanterns entered the playoffs for the third consecutive season and also clinched the best record in the league for the first time.[2]
* The Bacoor City Strikers entered the playoffs for the fourth consecutive season and also clinched the best record in the South Division for the first time.
* The Batangas City Embassy Chill entered the playoffs for the fifth consecutive season, currently the longest active playoff streak in the MPBL.
* The GenSan Warriors, San Juan Knights, and Zamboanga Family's Brand Sardines entered the playoffs for the fourth consecutive season.
* Pasig City MCW Sports entered the playoffs for the third consecutive season.
* The Marikina Shoemasters, Muntinlupa Cagers, and Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards entered the playoffs for the second consecutive season.
* The Quezon Huskers entered the playoffs for the first time in team history.
* The Iloilo United Royals, Makati OKBet Kings, and Pasay Voyagers entered the playoffs for the first time since 2020.
* The Caloocan Batang Kankaloo and Imus SV Squad entered the playoffs for the first time since 2019.
* The Bataan Risers missed the playoffs for the first time since entering the league in 2018.
* The Laguna Heroes and Parañaque Patriots missed the playoffs for the fourth consecutive season, currently the longest active playoff droughts in the MPBL.

### Notable events[edit]

* With the elimination of Bataan, Batangas City is now the only founding team to have never missed the playoffs.
* Quezon is the first team in the professional era to make the playoffs in its inaugural season.
* Both Cavite teams (Bacoor City and Imus) enter the playoffs in the same season for the first time since 2019.

#### First Round[edit]

* Iloilo became the first 8-seed to lead a playoff series against a 1-seed.
* Game 2 of the Makati–San Juan series was the first playoff game in league history to go into double overtime.
* General Santos's series win against Muntinlupa marked the first time a Soccsksargen-based team has won a playoff series.

#### Division Finals[edit]

* San Juan became the lowest-seeded team to make the Division Finals. This was previously held by Manila in 2019 (4th in North).
* San Juan is also the lowest-seeded team to make the penultimate round since Parañaque made the Semifinals in 2018 (7th overall).
* Following Nueva Ecija's elimination to San Juan and Zamboanga's elimination to Bacoor City, this marks the first time neither of last season's finalists make the Division Finals.
* Both teams in the South Division Finals are based in the Calabarzon region for the first time. It also the first time that the South Division Finals won't feature a Mindanao-based team.
* Pampanga's 2–0 series victory over San Juan marked the first series sweep in the Division Finals.
* It is also the first such sweep in the penultimate round since Batangas City's sweep against Valenzuela in 2018.
* Bacoor City beating Batangas City in two games marked the first time in league history in which both Semifinals/Division Finals series concluded in two games.

#### MPBL Finals[edit]

* For the first time since 2018, the MPBL Finals will feature two Luzon-based teams.
* It is also the second consecutive season in which the Finals will feature a Central Luzon-based team, but not a Metro Manila-based team.
* Pampanga became the first team in league history to sweep a Finals series.
* Pampanga is also the first team to sweep every playoff series in a single season.

## Format[edit]

The top eight teams from each division advance to the playoffs. Seeding is based on wins, with tiebreaker rules applied should multiple teams have the same record. The single-elimination bracket consists of four rounds with no reseeding. The first three rounds being best-of-three series and the National Finals being a best-of-five series.

During the first two rounds, two games within the same division are played in a gameday, with homecourt advantage alternating between the higher-seeded teams of each series. A traditional homecourt format is then used for the last two rounds, with the Division Finals using a 1–1–1 format and the National Finals using a 2–2–1 format. The designated home team may not be able to play within its home locality. Should it occur, the gameday may take place elsewhere.

## Division standings[edit]

North Division

| Pos | Team

* v
* t
* e

| Pld | W | L | GB

|
|
|
|
|

1  | Pampanga Giant Lanterns | 28  | 26  | 2  | --
2  | Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards | 28  | 23  | 5  | 3
3  | Makati OKBet Kings | 28  | 21  | 7  | 5
4  | Caloocan Batang Kankaloo | 28  | 20  | 8  | 6
5  | Pasig City MCW Sports | 28  | 19[a] | 9  | 7
6  | San Juan Knights | 28  | 19[a] | 9  | 7
7  | Pasay Voyagers | 28  | 17  | 11  | 9
8  | Marikina Shoemasters | 28  | 16  | 12  | 10

Source: Standings
Notes:

1. ^ a b Pasig wins tiebreaker over San Juan based on head-to-head victory.

South Division

| Pos | Team

* v
* t
* e

| Pld | W | L | GB

|
|
|
|
|

1  | Bacoor City Strikers | 28  | 23  | 5  | --
2  | Batangas City Embassy Chill | 28  | 22  | 6  | 1
3  | GenSan Warriors | 28  | 21  | 7  | 2
4  | Zamboanga Family's Brand Sardines | 28  | 20  | 8  | 3
5  | Quezon Huskers | 28  | 19  | 9  | 4
6  | Muntinlupa Cagers | 28  | 16  | 12  | 7
7  | Imus SV Squad | 28  | 15  | 13  | 8
8  | Iloilo United Royals | 28  | 12  | 16  | 11

Source: Standings

## Bracket[edit]

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 |

This box:

* view
* talk
* edit

## First Round[edit]

### North Division[edit]

#### (1) Pampanga Giant Lanterns vs. (8) Marikina Shoemasters[edit]

One PH
Media Pilipinas TV

October 6
08:00 pm

Boxscore

Marikina Shoemasters | 70-82 | Pampanga Giant Lanterns

|
|

Scoring by quarter: 21–21, 11–19, 20–14, 18–28
Pts: Joe Gomez de Liaño 22
Rebs: Jason Strait, Aldzahar Udjan 9
Asts: Felipe Chavez 6 |  | Pts: Archie Concepcion 26
Rebs: Justine Baltazar 21
Asts: Justine Baltazar 7
Pampanga leads series, 1–0

Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center, San Fernando, Pampanga

This game featured the MPBL debut of 9-time PBA champion and Pampanga homegrown Arwind Santos. Santos only scored four points, including the buzzer-beating three-pointer at the end of the game.[1]

Media Pilipinas TV

October 13
06:00 pm

Boxscore

Pampanga Giant Lanterns | 81-61 | Marikina Shoemasters

|
|

Scoring by quarter: 28–15, 18–17, 13–14, 22–15
Pts: Justine Baltazar 22
Rebs: Justine Baltazar 11
Asts: Archie Concepcion 7 |  | Pts: Mark Atabay 16
Rebs: Mark Atabay 13
Asts: Deo Timajo 5
Pampanga wins series, 2–0

Caloocan Sports Complex, Caloocan

Head-to-head matchup

One PH
Media Pilipinas TV

May 19
8:00 pm

Boxscore

Marikina Shoemasters | 75-83 | Pampanga Giant Lanterns

|
|

Scoring by quarter: 25–26, 9–22, 15–19, 26–16
Pts: Marwin Dionisio 24
Rebs: Jason Opiso 8
Asts: Felipe Chavez 7 |  | Pts: MJ Garcia 17
Rebs: Justine Baltazar 26
Asts: Justine Baltazar 5

Brenz Z. Guiao Convention Center,
San Fernando, Pampanga
Referees: Jovet Ocfemia, Rodel Brila, Severino Pingol

This is the first playoff meeting between Pampanga and Marikina.

#### (2) Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards vs. (7) Pasay Voyagers[edit]

One PH
Media Pilipinas TV

October 9
08:00 pm

Boxscore

Pasay Voyagers | 81-85 | Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards

|
|

Scoring by quarter: 17–21, 23–19, 22–21, 19–24
Pts: Dhon Reverente 20
Rebs: Dhon Reverente 13
Asts: Elvin Chan, Laurenz Victoria 4 |  | Pts: Chris Bitoon 18
Rebs: Michael Mabulac 15
Asts: John Raymundo, Chris Bitoon 4
Nueva Ecija leads series, 1–0

Nueva Ecija Coliseum, Palayan, Nueva Ecija

Media Pilipinas TV

October 16
06:00 pm

Boxscore

Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards | 71-62 | Pasay Voyagers

|
|

Scoring by quarter: 15–12, 23–13, 15–15, 18–22
Pts: Chris Bitoon 16
Rebs: JR Taganas 8
Asts: Philip Manalang 5 |  | Pts: Brian Hilario 26
Rebs: Dhon Reverente 12
Asts: Laurenz Victoria 6
Nueva Ecija wins series, 2–0

Ynares Sports Arena, Pasig

Head-to-head matchup

One PH
Media Pilipinas TV

September 28
8:00 pm

Boxscore

Pasay Voyagers | 79-88 | Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards

|
|

Scoring by quarter: 23–17, 18–23, 22–22, 16–26
Pts: Axel Iñigo, AJ Coronel 15
Rebs: Dhon Reverente 9
Asts: Lauenz Victoria 6 |  | Pts: Jonathan Uyloan 18
Rebs: Stephen Siruma 9
Asts: Roi Sumang 6

Nueva Ecija Coliseum,
Palayan, Nueva Ecija

This is the first playoff meeting between Nueva Ecija and Pasay.

#### (3) Makati OKBet Kings vs. (6) San Juan Knights[edit]

This series marked the third meeting of coaches Don Dulay (Makati) and Randy Alcantara (San Juan). Both coaches met in back-to-back National Finals and split one championship each, with Alcantara winning in 2019 for San Juan, and Dulay winning in 2021 for Davao Occidental.

Media Pilipinas TV

October 9
06:00 pm

Boxscore

Makati OKBet Kings | 84-95 | San Juan Knights

|
|

Scoring by quarter: 15–22, 16–21, 30–34, 23–18
Pts: Keith Agovida 19
Rebs: Keith Agovida 8
Asts: JC Cullar 6 |  | Pts: Orlan Wamar 23
Rebs: Kevin Villafranca 7
Asts: Adrian Nocum 6
San Juan leads series, 1–0

Nueva Ecija Coliseum, Palayan, Nueva Ecija

One PH
Media Pilipinas TV

October 16
08:00 pm

Boxscore

San Juan Knights | 95-92 (2OT) | Makati OKBet Kings

|
|

Scoring by quarter: 27–18, 13–19, 18–28, 17–10, Overtime: 20–17
Pts: Adrian Nocum 22
Rebs: Zach Huang 12
Asts: Orlan Wamar 7 |  | Pts: Robby Celiz, Emman Calo 24
Rebs: Billy Ray Robles 12
Asts: Emman Calo 7
San Juan wins series, 2–0

Ynares Sports Arena, Pasig

The game was the first in MPBL playoffs history to feature more than one overtime period, with both Makati and San Juan causing multiple lead changes and deadlocks throughout the entire game.

During the second overtime period, San Juan went on a 7–1 scoring run culminating in a three-point field goal by Wamar as the Knights led by 5 heading into the final minute. Calo cut the lead to three with two free throws, and then Cullar attempted a three-pointer to potentially cause triple overtime, but the ball went in and out of the rim. San Juan kept the ball in possession for the remaining seconds as the Knights advance to their fourth consecutive Division Semifinals appearance.[3]

Head-to-head matchup

One PH
Media Pilipinas TV

May 26
8:00 pm

Boxscore

Makati OKBet Kings | 95-84 | San Juan Knights

|
|

Scoring by quarter: 16–23, 19–15, 26–29, 34–17
Pts: JC Cullar 19
Rebs: Robby Celiz 8
Asts: Robby Celiz 6 |  | Pts: Orlan Wamar Jr. 18
Rebs: Adrian Nocum 11
Asts: three players 4

Filoil EcoOil Centre,
San Juan
Referees: Jovet Ocfemia, Julius Tiquio, Cornel Tungol

This is the second playoff meeting between Makati and San Juan, with San Juan winning the previous meeting.

Previous playoffs series  San Juan leads 1–0 in all-time playoff series

2021

San Juan Knights  2, Makati Super Crunch 1

2020–21 Northern Division Finals

#### (4) Caloocan Batang Kankaloo vs. (5) Pasig City MCW Sports[edit]

Media Pilipinas TV

October 6
06:00pm

Boxscore

Caloocan Batang Kankaloo | 71-69 | Pasig City MCW Sports

|
|

Scoring by quarter: 20–17, 7–17, 23–14, 21–21
Pts: Reil Cervantes 16
Rebs: Gabby Espinas 12
Asts: Joco Tayongtong 5 |  | Pts: Robbie Manalang 17
Rebs: Pierce Chan 9
Asts: Ryan Costelo 5
Caloocan leads series, 1–0

Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center,
San Fernando, Pampanga

With the game tied at 69–69, Gabby Espinas hit the mid-range jumper on Jason Ballesteros to give Caloocan the lead with 0.7 seconds left on the clock. Following two timeouts from Pasig City, Kenny Rocacurva gave the inbound pass to Ryan Costelo, who failed to score a potential game-tying field goal.[4]

One PH
Media Pilipinas TV

October 13
08:00 pm

Boxscore

Pasig City MCW Sports | 65-61 | Caloocan Batang Kankaloo

|
|

Scoring by quarter: 16–11, 11–18, 19–16, 19–16
Pts: Robbie Manalang 23
Rebs: Jason Ballesteros 10
Asts: Ryan Costelo 3 |  | Pts: Paul Sanga 12
Rebs: Rey Cervantes, Gabby Espinas 7
Asts: Alejandro Iñigo 4
Series tied, 1–1

Caloocan Sports Complex, Caloocan

One PH
Media Pilipinas TV

October 20
08:00 pm

Boxscore

Caloocan Batang Kankaloo | 68-60 | Pasig City MCW Sports

|
|

Scoring by quarter: 17–16, 10–17, 20–14, 21–13
Pts: Gabby Espinas 15
Rebs: Gabby Espinas, Paul Sanga 7
Asts: Irven Palencia 5 |  | Pts: Robbie Manalang, Rey Peralta 10
Rebs: Jason Ballesteros 17
Asts: three players 3
Caloocan wins series, 2–1

Caloocan Sports Complex, Caloocan

Head-to-head matchup

One PH
Media Pilipinas TV

May 10
8:00 pm

Boxscore

Caloocan Batang Kankaloo | 74-82 | Pasig City MCW Sports

|
|

Scoring by quarter: 13–18, 17–23, 21–27, 23–14
Pts: Jeramer Cabanag 16
Rebs: Ronnie Matias 11
Asts: Irven Palencia 7 |  | Pts: Kenny Rocacurva 18
Rebs: Jason Ballesteros 13
Asts: Ryan Costelo 9

Ynares Sports Arena,
Pasig
Referees: Severino Pingol, Allan Manzano, Bayani Francisco

This is the first playoff meeting between Caloocan and Pasig.

### South Division[edit]

#### (1) Bacoor City Strikers vs. (8) Iloilo United Royals[edit]

One PH
Media Pilipinas TV

October 7
08:00pm

Boxscore

Iloilo United Royals | 89-86 | Bacoor City Strikers

|
|

Scoring by quarter: 19–31, 18–26, 32–9, 20–20
Pts: Lorenzo Navarro 16
Rebs: Omar Larupay, Joshua Flores 10
Asts: Lorenzo Navarro 14 |  | Pts: Jhan Nermal, James Kwekuteye 23
Rebs: Mark Yee 14
Asts: Yvan Ludovice 4
Iloilo leads series, 1–0

Strike Gymnasium, Bacoor, Cavite

At the end of the first half, Bacoor City had a 20-point lead on Iloilo. In the third quarter, Iloilo took the lead as the United Royals scored 32 points over Bacoor City's 9. With the game tied at 86–86, and with just under three seconds on the game clock, CJ Catapusan scored a three-point field goal to give Iloilo the lead with .17 seconds remaining. Bacoor City had no timeouts left as Chito Jaime attempted a half-court shot that hit the right side of the backboard, giving Iloilo the upset victory.[5]

Media Pilipinas TV

October 14
06:00 pm

Boxscore

Bacoor City Strikers | 92-52 | Iloilo United Royals

|
|

Scoring by quarter: 20–11, 25–16, 22–10, 25–15
Pts: Chito Jaime 16
Rebs: Jhaymo Eguilos 10
Asts: Aaron Jeruta 9 |  | Pts: CJ Catapusan 11
Rebs: CJ Catapusan, Omar Larupay 6
Asts: Lorenzo Navarro 7
Series tied, 1–1

Mayor Vitaliano D. Agan Coliseum, Zamboanga City

Media Pilipinas TV

October 21
8:00 pm

Boxscore

Iloilo United Royals | 61-72 | Bacoor City Strikers

|
|

Scoring by quarter: 12–22, 17–19, 15–17, 17–14
Pts: Joshua Flores 15
Rebs: CJ Catapusan 9
Asts: Lorenzo Navarro 8 |  | Pts: James Kwekuteye 15
Rebs: Jhaymo Eguilos, Jhan Nermal 12
Asts: Aaron Jeruta 6
Bacoor City wins series, 2–1

Strike Gymnasium, Bacoor, Cavite

Head-to-head matchup

One PH
Media Pilipinas TV

June 13
8:00 pm

Boxscore

Iloilo United Royals | 69-74 (OT) | Bacoor City Strikers

|
|

Scoring by quarter: 15–12, 14–9, 22–20, 14–24, Overtime: 4–9
Pts: Tony Ynot 16
Rebs: CJ Catapusan 13
Asts: CJ Catapusan 5 |  | Pts: Jhan Nermal 24
Rebs: Jhan Nermal, Mark Yee 14
Asts: Joel Lee Yu 5

Strike Gymnasium,
Bacoor, Cavite
Referees: Edmar Avis, Rodel Brila, Bayani Francisco

This is the first playoff meeting between Bacoor City and Iloilo.

#### (2) Batangas City Embassy Chill vs. (7) Imus SV Squad[edit]

One PH
Media Pilipinas TV

October 10
08:00 pm

Boxscore

Imus SV Squad | 71-78 | Batangas City Embassy Chill

|
|

Scoring by quarter: 8–21, 20–23, 15–16, 28–18
Pts: Carlo Lastimosa 18
Rebs: Marc Pingris 10
Asts: six players 2 |  | Pts: Juneric Baloria 17
Rebs: John Ambulodto 10
Asts: Jeckster Apinan 5
Batangas City leads series, 1–0

Batangas City Coliseum, Batangas City

Marc Pingris made his return to Imus after only playing for the team in five games during the regular season.

Media Pilipinas TV

October 17
06:00 pm

Boxscore

Batangas City Embassy Chill | 61-59 | Imus SV Squad

|
|

Scoring by quarter: 13–14, 15–18, 15–11, 18–16
Pts: Cedrick Ablaza 13
Rebs: Juneric Baloria 9
Asts: Juneric Baloria, Cedrick Ablaza 6 |  | Pts: Carlo Lastimosa 11
Rebs: Marc Pingris 10
Asts: Jayjay Helterbrand 6
Batangas City wins series, 2–0

Strike Gymnasium, Bacoor, Cavite

Head-to-head matchup

One PH
Media Pilipinas TV

May 9
8:00 pm

Boxscore

Imus SV Squad | 71-70 | Batangas City Embassy Chill

|
|

Scoring by quarter: 19–6, 21–16, 34–23, 17–25
Pts: Jimboy Estrada 27
Rebs: Jaymar Gimpayan 12
Asts: Marc Pingris 5 |  | Pts: Juneric Baloria 21
Rebs: four players 5
Asts: MJ dela Virgen 6

Batangas City Coliseum,
Batangas City
Referees: Romel Alcoran, Severino Pingol, Allan Manzano

This is the second playoff meeting between Batangas City and Imus, with Batangas City winning the previous meeting.

Previous playoffs series  Batangas City leads 1–0 in all-time playoff series

2019

Batangas City Athletics 2, Imus Bandera 1

2019 Southern Division First Round

#### (3) GenSan Warriors vs. (6) Muntinlupa Cagers[edit]

Media Pilipinas TV

October 10
06:00 pm

Boxscore

GenSan Warriors | 79-70 | Muntinlupa Cagers

|
|

Scoring by quarter: 21–13, 24–13, 18–19, 16–25
Pts: Jervy Cruz 16
Rebs: John Wilson 12
Asts: John Wilson 7 |  | Pts: Dave Moralde 12
Rebs: Dave Moralde, Ian Melencio 10
Asts: Dave Moralde, Ian Melencio 4
General Santos leads series, 1–0

Batangas City Coliseum, Batangas City

One PH
Media Pilipinas TV

October 17
08:00 pm

Boxscore

Muntinlupa Cagers | 99-91 | GenSan Warriors

|
|

Scoring by quarter: 27–21, 31–20, 28–22, 13–28
Pts: Dave Moralde 18
Rebs: Ian Melencio 14
Asts: Ian Melencio 8 |  | Pts: Mark Cruz 19
Rebs: Felix Apreku, Larry Rodriguez 6
Asts: Nico Elorde 6
Series tied, 1–1

Strike Gymnasium, Bacoor, Cavite

TBA

October 24
07:00 pm

Boxscore

GenSan Warriors | 85-78 | Muntinlupa Cagers

|
|

Scoring by quarter: 26–19, 18–15, 22–19, 19–25
Pts: John Wilson 22
Rebs: Hafer Mondragon 8
Asts: three players 5 |  | Pts: John Amores 17
Rebs: JP Sarao 14
Asts: Ian Melencio 7
General Santos wins series, 2–1

Paco Arena, Manila

Head-to-head matchup

Media Pilipinas TV

June 10
6:00 pm

Boxscore

GenSan Warriors | 60-67 | 'Muntinlupa Cagers

|
|

Scoring by quarter: 18–19, 17–16, 12–14, 13–18
Pts: Jervy Cruz 11
Rebs: Kyt Jimenez 7
Asts: Mark Cruz 6 |  | Pts: Manuel Masqueda 13
Rebs: John Amores 9
Asts: three players 3

Batangas City Coliseum,
Batangas City
Referees: Edmar Avis, Julius Tiquio, Severino Pingol

This is the first playoff meeting between General Santos and Muntinlupa.

#### (4) Zamboanga Family's Brand Sardines vs. (5) Quezon Huskers[edit]

Media Pilipinas TV

October 7
06:00 pm

Boxscore

Quezon Huskers | 68-77 | Zamboanga Family's Brand Sardines

|
|

Scoring by quarter: 18–17, 15–22, 18–20, 17–18
Pts: Christopher Lagrama 16
Rebs: RJ Minerva 13
Asts: Thomas Torres 4 |  | Pts: Jaycee Marcelino 20
Rebs: Jaycee Marcelino 10
Asts: Jaycee Marcelino 7
Zamboanga leads series, 1–0

Strike Gymnasium, Bacoor, Cavite

One PH
Media Pilipinas TV

October 14
08:00 pm

Boxscore

Zamboanga Family's Brand Sardines | 58-65 | Quezon Huskers

|
|

Scoring by quarter: 18–25, 15–5, 10–12, 15–23
Pts: Jaycee Marcelino 19
Rebs: Jaycee Marcelino 8
Asts: Jaycee Marcelino 3 |  | Pts: Alex Tamsi 13
Rebs: Rodel Guevarra 9
Asts: Christopher Lagrama 5
Series tied, 1–1

Mayor Vitaliano D. Agan Coliseum, Zamboanga City

Media Pilipinas TV

October 21
06:00 pm

Boxscore

Quezon Huskers | 76-88 | Zamboanga Family's Brand Sardines

|
|

Scoring by quarter: 16–21, 21–28, 22–25, 17–14
Pts: Mon Abundo, Rodel Gravera 14
Rebs: Rodel Gravera 11
Asts: Mon Abundo 7 |  | Pts: Judel Fuentes 19
Rebs: Joseph Gabayni 7
Asts: Jaycee Marcelino 13
Zamboanga wins series, 2–1

Strike Gymnasium, Bacoor, Cavite

Head-to-head matchup

One PH
Media Pilipinas TV

August 14
8:00 pm

Boxscore

Zamboanga Family's Brand Sardines | 66-70 | Quezon Huskers

|
|

Scoring by quarter: 17–16, 10–15, 14–20, 25–19
Pts: Jaycee Marcelino 22
Rebs: Jayvee Marcelino 7
Asts: Judel Fuentes 4 |  | Pts: Al Francis Tamsi 19
Rebs: Jason Opiso 7
Asts: John Karlo Casino 6

Quezon Convention Center,
Lucena, Quezon
Referees: John Louie Saripe, Ryan Bernardo, Jayson Vipiloso

This is the first playoff meeting between Zamboanga and Quezon.

## Division Semifinals[edit]

### North Division[edit]

#### (1) Pampanga Giant Lanterns vs. (4) Caloocan Batang Kankaloo[edit]

One PH
Media Pilipinas TV

October 27
08:00 pm

Boxscore

Caloocan Batang Kankaloo | 63-74 | Pampanga Giant Lanterns

|
|

Scoring by quarter: 11–24, 15–19, 15–22, 22–9
Pts: Paul Sanga 17
Rebs: Ronnie Matias 6
Asts: Irven Palencia, Alejandro Iñigo 6 |  | Pts: Justine Baltazar 17
Rebs: Justine Baltazar 14
Asts: MJ Garcia, John Lloyd Clemente 4
Pampanga wins series, 1–0

Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center,
San Fernando, Pampanga

Media Pilipinas TV

November 3
06:00 pm

Boxscore

Pampanga Giant Lanterns | 93-77 | Caloocan Batang Kankaloo

|
|

Scoring by quarter: 18–20, 24–18, 24–26, 27–13
Pts: Encho Serrano 22
Rebs: Justine Baltazar 20
Asts: Justine Baltazar 7 |  | Pts: Reil Cervantes 16
Rebs: Ronnie Matias 10
Asts: Reil Cervantes, Irven Palencia 6
Pampanga wins series, 2–0

Nueva Ecija Coliseum, Palayan, Nueva Ecija

Head-to-head matchup

Media Pilipinas TV

May 15
06:00 pm

Boxscore

Caloocan Batang Kankaloo | 68-76 | Pampanga Giant Lanterns

|
|

Scoring by quarter: 16–26, 12–18, 20–19, 20–13
Pts: Reil Cervantes 16
Rebs: Gabby Espinas 11
Asts: Reil Cervantes, Jeramer Cabanag 3 |  | Pts: Justine Baltazar 25
Rebs: Justine Baltazar 21
Asts: MJ Garcia 4

Strike Gymnasium,
Bacoor, Cavite

This is the first playoff meeting between Pampanga and Caloocan.

#### (2) Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards vs. (6) San Juan Knights[edit]

Media Pilipinas TV

October 27
06:00 pm

Boxscore

Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards | 82-86 | San Juan Knights

|
|

Scoring by quarter: 20–18, 28–18, 11–21, 23–29
Pts: Byron Villarias, Chris Bitoon 14
Rebs: Will McAloney, Michael Mabulac 8
Asts: Michael Juico 7 |  | Pts: Orlan Wamar 19
Rebs: Michael Calisaan, Nikko Panganiban 9
Asts: Orlan Wamar 7
San Juan leads series, 1–0

Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center,
San Fernando, Pampanga

One PH
Media Pilipinas TV

November 3
08:00 pm

Boxscore

San Juan Knights | 88-80 | Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards

|
|

Scoring by quarter: 26–25, 21–17, 23–21, 18–17
Pts: Michael Calisaan 30
Rebs: Michael Calisaan 18
Asts: Orlan Wamar, Nikko Panganiban 6 |  | Pts: Will McAloney 21
Rebs: Michael Mabulac 9
Asts: three players 4
San Juan wins series, 2–0

Nueva Ecija Coliseum, Palayan, Nueva Ecija

Head-to-head matchup

One PH
Media Pilipinas TV

September 21
08:00 pm

Boxscore

San Juan Knights | 97-99 (OT) | Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards

|
|

Scoring by quarter: 21–17, 18–24, 32–26, 18–22, Overtime: 8–10
Pts: Orlan Wamar 19
Rebs: Adrian Nocum 9
Asts: Orlan Wamar 5 |  | Pts: Will McAloney 20
Rebs: Will McAloney 14
Asts: three players 5

Nueva Ecija Coliseum,
Palayan, Nueva Ecija

This is the second playoff meeting between Nueva Ecija and San Juan, with Nueva Ecija winning the previous meeting.

Previous playoffs series  Nueva Ecija leads 1–0 in all-time playoff series

2022

Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards 2, San Juan Knights 1

2022 Northern Division Finals

### South Division[edit]

#### (1) Bacoor City Strikers vs. (4) Zamboanga Family's Brand Sardines[edit]

One PH
Media Pilipinas TV

October 28
08:00 pm

Boxscore

Zamboanga Family's Brand Sardines | 56-61 | Bacoor City Strikers

|
|

Scoring by quarter: 17–16, 10–12, 10–18, 19–15
Pts: Jaycee Marcelino 18
Rebs: King Caralipio 10
Asts: Jaycee Marcelino 4 |  | Pts: Jhan Nermal 20
Rebs: Jhaymo Eguilos 10
Asts: Aaron Jeruta 8
Bacoor City leads series, 1–0

Strike Gymnasium, Bacoor, Cavite

Media Pilipinas TV

November 4
06:00 pm

Boxscore

Bacoor City Strikers | 78-72 | Zamboanga Family's Brand Sardines

|
|

Scoring by quarter: 17–16, 19–12, 19–15, 23–29
Pts: Jhan Nermal 25
Rebs: Mark Yee 8
Asts: Aaron Jeruta 8 |  | Pts: Jayvee Marcelino 16
Rebs: Jayvee Marcelino 11
Asts: Jaycee Marcelino 6
Bacoor City wins series, 2–0

Batangas City Coliseum, Batangas City

Head-to-head matchup

One PH
Media Pilipinas TV

September 27
08:00 pm

Boxscore

Zamboanga Family's Brand Sardines | 92-81 | Bacoor City Strikers

|
|

Scoring by quarter: 20–19, 28–14, 16–31, 28–17
Pts: Judel Fuentes 18
Rebs: Jaycee Marcelino 10
Asts: Jaycee Marcelino 6 |  | Pts: Chito Jaime 20
Rebs: James Kwekuteye 8
Asts: Joel Lee Yu 6

Strike Gymnasium,
Bacoor, Cavite

This is the first playoff meeting between Bacoor City and Zamboanga.

#### (2) Batangas City Embassy Chill vs. (3) GenSan Warriors[edit]

Media Pilipinas TV

October 28
06:00 pm

Boxscore

Batangas City Embassy Chill | 81-75 | GenSan Warriors

|
|

Scoring by quarter: 17–19, 22–15, 20–18, 22–23
Pts: Levi Hernandez 21
Rebs: Jeckster Apinan 9
Asts: Cedric Ablaza 6 |  | Pts: Mark Cruz 18
Rebs: Mark Cruz 6
Asts: Nico Elorde 4
Batangas City leads series, 1–0

Strike Gymnasium,
Bacoor, Cavite

One PH
Media Pilipinas TV

November 4
08:00 pm

Boxscore

GenSan Warriors | 61-55 | Batangas City Embassy Chill

|
|

Scoring by quarter: 16–8, 16–12, 14–24, 15–11
Pts: Lorenzo Joson 14
Rebs: John Wilson 10
Asts: three players 3 |  | Pts: Levi Hernandez 13
Rebs: Jeckster Apinan 11
Asts: Jeckster Apinan, MJ dela Virgen 4
Series tied, 1–1

Batangas City Coliseum, Batangas City

One PH
Media Pilipinas TV

November 7
08:00 pm

Boxscore

Batangas City Embassy Chill | 66-62 | GenSan Warriors

|
|

Scoring by quarter: 21–11, 10–17, 18–18, 17–16
Pts: Levi Hernandez 14
Rebs: Dawn Ochea 10
Asts: MJ dela Virgen 5 |  | Pts: Michole Sorela 15
Rebs: five players 4
Asts: Mark Cruz 6
Batangas City wins series, 2–1

Batangas City Coliseum, Batangas City

Despite Batangas City leading by 11 points early on, the game came down to the wire as General Santos caught up throughout the rest of the game. With under half a minute remaining, General Santos was trailing by two. Cruz first missed a layup but got back the ball and gave it to Sorela. Sorela attempted a corner three-pointer but was deflected by Importante and later became a shot clock violation against General Santos. After two made free throws from Ablaza, Joson missed his three pointer resulting in Batangas City winning the game and the series, thus making back-to-back Division Finals appearances.

Head-to-head matchup

One PH
Media Pilipinas TV

September 28
06:00 pm

Boxscore

Batangas City Embassy Chill | 75-58 | GenSan Warriors

|
|

Scoring by quarter: 15–13, 12–16, 18–20, 30–9
Pts: Juneric Baloria 15
Rebs: Jeckster Apinan 15
Asts: Jeckster Apinan 6 |  | Pts: John Wilson 15
Rebs: Mark Cruz 10
Asts: Nico Elorde 5

Nueva Ecija Coliseum,
Palayan, Nueva Ecija

This is the first playoff meeting between Batangas City and General Santos.

## Division Finals[edit]

### North Division Finals[edit]

#### (1) Pampanga Giant Lanterns vs. (6) San Juan Knights[edit]

One PH
Media Pilipinas TV

November 11
07:00 pm

Boxscore

Pampanga Giant Lanterns | 86-82 | San Juan Knights

|
|

Scoring by quarter: 24–20, 19–17, 18–21, 25–24
Pts: Justine Baltazar 23
Rebs: Justine Baltazar 20
Asts: Encho Serrano 6 |  | Pts: Marwin Taywan 20
Rebs: Michael Calisaan 12
Asts: Orlan Wamar 7
Pampanga leads series, 1–0

Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center, San Fernando, Pampanga

One PH
Media Pilipinas TV

November 14
08:30 pm

Boxscore

San Juan Knights | 76-82 | Pampanga Giant Lanterns

|
|

Scoring by quarter: 29–12, 14–26, 27–19, 6–25
Pts: Marwin Taywan 18
Rebs: Adrian Nocum 10
Asts: Adrian Nocum 4 |  | Pts: Encho Serrano, MJ Garcia 16
Rebs: Justine Baltazar 19
Asts: Justine Baltazar, Encho Serrano 7
Pampanga wins series, 2–0

Filoil EcoOil Centre, San Juan

This was San Juan's first playoff home game of the entire season, due to the Knights being the 6th-seeded team. During the first three quarters, San Juan have shown dominance for the majority of the game, leading by as much as 19 points and entering the fourth quarter with a 13-point lead.

Pampanga, however, didn't stand back, as they would start the quarter with a 16–1 scoring run to take the lead with just over three minutes left, with eight of those points coming from Encho Serrano. Although Taywan scored a layup to tie the game, Pampanga then went on a 9–3 scoring run to finish the game. Encho Serrano won Player of the Game honors as the Giant Lanterns remain undefeated in the playoffs and went on to advance to their very first MPBL Finals appearance.

Head-to-head matchup

One PH
Media Pilipinas TV

September 30
06:00 pm

Boxscore

Pampanga Giant Lanterns | 89-73 | San Juan Knights

|
|

Scoring by quarter: 28–25, 20–14, 19–16, 20–18
Pts: John Lloyd Clemente 15
Rebs: Allen Liwag, Louie Sangalang 10
Asts: Encho Serrano, MJ Garcia 5 |  | Pts: AC Soberano 17
Rebs: Kenneth Villapando 6
Asts: Nikko Panganiban, Renzo Subido 5

Quezon Convention Center,
Lucena City

This is the second playoff meeting between Pampanga and San Juan, with San Juan winning the previous meeting.

Previous playoffs series  San Juan leads 1–0 in all-time playoff series

2020

San Juan Knights 2, Pampanga Giant Lanterns 0

2020 Northern Division Semifinals

### South Division Finals[edit]

#### (1) Bacoor City Strikers vs. (2) Batangas City Embassy Chill[edit]

One PH
Media Pilipinas TV

November 13
07:00 pm

Boxscore

Bacoor City Strikers | 89-68 | Batangas City Embassy Chill

|
|

Scoring by quarter: 27–18, 24–11, 17–11, 21–25
Pts: James Kwekuteye 25
Rebs: Mark Yee 10
Asts: Aaron Jeruta 5 |  | Pts: Jeckster Apinan 15
Rebs: Jeckster Apinan 13
Asts: MJ dela Virgen 7
Bacoor City leads series, 1–0

Strike Gymnasium, Bacoor, Cavite

One PH
Media Pilipinas TV

November 17
07:00 pm

Boxscore

Batangas City Embassy Chill | 49-54 | Bacoor City Strikers

|
|

Scoring by quarter: 14–8, 7–15, 23–17, 5–14
Pts: Jeckster Apinan 11
Rebs: Cedric Ablaza 10
Asts: CJ Isit 6 |  | Pts: Jhaymo Eguilos 9
Rebs: Mark Yee, James Kwekuteye 9
Asts: Yvan Ludovice, Aaron Jeruta 3
Bacoor City wins series, 2–0

Batangas City Coliseum, Batangas City

Head-to-head matchup

One PH
Media Pilipinas TV

August 12
08:00 pm

Boxscore

Batangas City Embassy Chill | 64-71 | Bacoor City Strikers

|
|

Scoring by quarter: 6–25, 27–13, 8–19, 23–14
Pts: Rhaffy Octobre 18
Rebs: Juneric Baloria 10
Asts: three players 3 |  | Pts: Michael Cañete 15
Rebs: Jhan Nermal 12
Asts: Aaron Jeruta 3

Strike Gymnasium ,
Bacoor, Cavite

This is the second playoff meeting between Bacoor City and Batangas City, with Batangas City winning the previous meeting.

Previous playoffs series  Batangas City leads 1–0 in all-time playoff series

2022

Batangas City Embassy Chill 2, Bacoor City Strikers  1

2022 Southern Division First Round

## MPBL Finals: (N1) Pampanga Giant Lanterns vs. (S1) Bacoor City Strikers[edit]

Main article: 2023 MPBL Finals

One PH
Media Pilipinas TV

November 25
07:00 pm

Boxscore

Pampanga Giant Lanterns | 71-58 | Bacoor City Strikers

|
|

Scoring by quarter: 21–7, 17–21, 15–9, 18–21
Pts: Kurt Reyson 21
Rebs: Justine Baltazar 16
Asts: Justine Baltazar 6 |  | Pts: Jhaymo Eguilos, Jhan Nermal 16
Rebs: Mark Yee 8
Asts: three players 2
Pampanga leads series, 1–0

Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center, San Fernando, Pampanga

One PH
Media Pilipinas TV

November 28
07:00 pm

Boxscore

Pampanga Giant Lanterns | 68-65 | Bacoor City Strikers

|
|

Scoring by quarter: 14–12, 19–17, 17–20, 18–16
Pts: Justine Baltazar, Archie Concepcion 13
Rebs: Justine Baltazar 12
Asts: Justine Baltazar 6 |  | Pts: James Kwekuteye 16
Rebs: Jhaymo Eguilos 9
Asts: Aaron Jeruta 4
Pampanga leads series, 2–0

Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center, San Fernando, Pampanga

One PH
Media Pilipinas TV

December 2
07:00 pm

Boxscore

Bacoor City Strikers | 77-82 | Pampanga Giant Lanterns

|
|

Scoring by quarter: 20–20, 11–11, 22–17, 24–34
Pts: Jhan Nermal 20
Rebs: Mark Yee 10
Asts: Yvan Ludovice, Michael Cañete 4 |  | Pts: Encho Serrano 24
Rebs: Justine Baltazar 19
Asts: three players 5
Pampanga wins series, 3–0

Strike Gymnasium, Bacoor, Cavite

Head-to-head matchup

One PH
Media Pilipinas TV

July 22
06:00 pm

Boxscore

Pampanga Giant Lanterns | 78-70 | Bacoor City Strikers

|
|

Scoring by quarter: 24–12, 20–26, 15–16, 19–16
Pts: Encho Serrano 18
Rebs: Justine Baltazar 18
Asts: John Bryle Bahio 5 |  | Pts: Jhan Nermal 19
Rebs: Jhan Nermal 9
Asts: Aaron Jeruta 4

Laguna Sports Complex,
Santa Cruz, Laguna

This is the first playoff meeting between Pampanga and Bacoor City.

## References[edit]

1. ^ a b "Pampanga beats Marikina in Arwind Santos MPBL debut". Spin.ph. Retrieved October 10, 2023.
2. ^ "Pampanga, Makati trounce MPBL rivals". The Manila Times. September 14, 2023. Retrieved September 18, 2023.
3. ^ "San Juan outlast Makati in 2 OTs, takes on Nueva Ecija in MPBL semis". Philippine Star. October 17, 2023. Retrieved October 18, 2023.
4. ^ Masoy, Niel Victor C. (October 8, 2023). "Espinas shines as Caloocan downs Pasig". The Manila Times. Retrieved October 10, 2023.
5. ^ "Iloilo shocks Bacoor; Zamboanga thwarts Quezon in MPBL playoffs". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved October 10, 2023.

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