2023 MPBL season

5th season of the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League

Sports season

2023 MPBL season

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)
MPBL seasons

← 2022

2024 →

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]

## Teams

[edit]

### Expansion

[edit]

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.

### Arenas

[edit]

| Expansion team

|

| Returning team
| Team switched divisions
| New arena

| North Division

Team | Arena | Capacity
Bataan Risers | Bataan People's Center | 4,000
Bulacan Kuyas | Baliwag Star Arena | 5,000
Caloocan Batang Kankaloo | Caloocan Sports Complex | 3,000
Makati OKBet Kings | No home games
Manila Stars | San Andres Sports Complex | 3,000
Marikina Shoemasters | Marikina Sports Center | 7,000
Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards | Nueva Ecija Coliseum | 3,000
Pampanga Giant Lanterns | Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center | 3,000
Parañaque Patriots | Olivarez College Gymnasium | 3,500
Pasay Voyagers | Cuneta Astrodome | 12,000
Pasig City MCW Sports | Ynares Sports Arena | 3,000
Quezon City Toda Aksyon | No home games
Rizal Golden Coolers | Ynares Center | 7,400
One Arena | N/A
San Juan Knights | Filoil EcoOil Centre | 6,000
Valenzuela XUR Homes Realty Inc. | WES Arena | N/A
| South Division

Team | Arena | Capacity
Bacolod City of Smiles | No home games
Bacoor City Strikers | Strike Gymansium | 1,500
Batangas City Embassy Chill | Batangas City Sports Coliseum | 2,500
Batangas State University Gymnasium | 4,000
Bicol Volcanoes | No home games
GenSan Warriors | Lagao Gymnasium[I] | 6,000
Iloilo United Royals | Passi City Arena | 2,000
Imus SV Squad | Imus City Sports Complex | 1,000
Laguna Heroes | Santa Rosa Sports Complex | 5,700
Laguna Sports Complex | 2,500
Mindoro Disiplinados | Sentrong Pangkabataan | N/A
Muntinlupa Cagers | Muntinlupa Sports Center | 3,000
Negros Muscovados | La Salle Coliseum | 8,000
Quezon Huskers | Quezon Convention Center | 8,000
Sarangani Marlins | No home games
Zamboanga Family's Brand Sardines | Mayor Vitaliano D. Agan Coliseum | 12,000

Neutral

Event | Arena | Capacity
– | Paco Arena[N] | 1,000

Notes

* I Only used for the 2023 Preseason Invitational.
* N Despite the presence of the Manila Stars, the arena was not used by the team during the season.

### Name changes

[edit]

* The Batangas City Embassy Chill temporarily changed its name to Batangas City Tanduay Rum Masters during the 2023 Preseason Invitational.
* The Imus City Bandera changed its name to Imus SV Squad before the 2023 Preseason Invitational.
* The Bacolod Bingo Plus changed its name to Bacolod City of Smiles before the start of the season. The team is alternatively known as the Bacolod Maskaras.
* The Caloocan Excellence changed its name to Caloocan Batang Kankaloo before the start of the season.
* The Laguna Heroes Krah Asia changed its name to Laguna Krah Asia before the start of the season.
* The Makati × MNL Kingpin changed its name to Makati OKBet Kings before the start of the season.
* The Mindoro Tams changed its name to Oriental Mindoro Disiplinados before the start of the season, then later changed to Mindoro Disiplinados in June 2023.
* The Quezon City MG changed its name to Quezon City Gaz N Go before the start of the season, then later changed to Quezon City Toda Aksyon in June 2023.

### Coaching changes

[edit]

Off-season

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

## Pre-season

[edit]

Main article: 2023 MPBL Preseason Invitational

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]

## Regular season

[edit]

### Opening ceremony

[edit]

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.

### Format

[edit]

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.

### Postponed and cancelled games

[edit]

* The Bacoor City–Bataan and Quezon–Marikina games, originally scheduled for September 22, 2023 at Marikina Sports Center, were postponed due to health concerns brought by volcanic smog. Both were then postponed to October 3, 2023, while the venue remained unchanged.[5]
* The Laguna–Manila game, also originally scheduled for September 22, 2023, was later cancelled due to it having no effect on playoff standings.[5]

### 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
|  |  |  |  |
9  | Bataan Risers | 28  | 13  | 15  | 13
10  | Rizal Golden Coolers | 28  | 12  | 16  | 14
11  | Parañaque Patriots | 28  | 11  | 17  | 15
12  | Bulacan Kuyas | 28  | 7  | 21  | 19
13  | Manila Stars | 27  | 4  | 23  | 21.5
14  | Quezon City Toda Aksyon | 28  | 3[b] | 25  | 23
15  | Valenzuela XUR Homes Realty Inc. | 28  | 3[b] | 25  | 23

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:

1. ^ a b Pasig wins tiebreaker over San Juan based on head-to-head victory.
2. ^ a b Quezon City wins tiebreaker over Valenzuela 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
|  |  |  |  |
9  | Bacolod City of Smiles | 28  | 11[a] | 17  | 12
10  | Sarangani Marlins | 28  | 11[a] | 17  | 12
11  | Negros Muscovados | 28  | 10  | 18  | 13
12  | Mindoro Disiplinados | 28  | 6  | 22  | 17
13  | Laguna Krah Asia | 27  | 4  | 23  | 18.5
14  | Bicol Volcanoes | 28  | 1  | 27  | 22

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:

1. ^ a b Bacolod wins tiebreaker over Sarangani based on head-to-head victory.

### Results

[edit]

Each team plays every team once. Number of asterisks after each score denotes number of overtimes played.

Teams  | BCD | BCR | BAN | BTG | BCL | BUL | CAL | GS | ILO | IMS | LAG | MKT | MNL | MAR | MDR | MUN | NEG | NE | PAM | PAR | PSY | PSG | QZN | QC | RZL | SJ | SAR | VAL | ZAM

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

Bacolod |  | 86–91  | 73–69  | 74–105  | 93–82  | 85–84  | 62–67  | 80–87  | 73–80  | 68–74  | 84–66  | 58–63  | 90–86  | 67–79  | 69–60  | 73–72  | 88–102  | 72–90  | 86–103  | 77–71  | 63–67  | 55–61  | 56–63  | 91–75  | 63–72  | 69–80  | 95–91  | 102–98  | 77–89
Bacoor City |  |  | 93–65  | 71–64  | 113–75  | 78–69  | 75–84**  | 74–68  | 74–69*  | 60–52  | 75–65  | 81–77  | 76–62  | 75–55  | 95–76  | 74–73  | 88–72  | 75–83  | 70–78  | 83–58  | 79–65  | 72–79  | 75–43  | 93–58  | 86–69  | 73–49  | 85–70  | 76–68  | 81–92
Bataan |  |  |  | 60–72  | 101–58  | 65–73  | 71–77  | 65–99  | 89–77  | 68–75  | 20–0[a] | 68–65  | 60–62  | 76–73  | 72–66  | 85–90  | 67–64  | 69–72  | 72–74  | 92–56  | 76–77  | 67–70  | 64–61  | 80–68  | 70–61  | 84–86  | 95–77  | 80–76  | 55–74
Batangas City |  |  |  |  | 114–66  | 76–60  | 80–67  | 75–58  | 78–55  | 70–71  | 97–62  | 80–82  | 94–79  | 82–56  | 98–70  | 90–84*  | 83–62  | 56–68  | 95–92  | 92–58  | 69–54  | 80–73  | 84–80*  | 111–63  | 78–70  | 76–91  | 63–56  | 104–55  | 74–81
Bicol |  |  |  |  |  | 107–115  | 81–109  | 80–121  | 77–109  | 66–107  | 80–89  | 56–73  | 104–113  | 59–100  | 96–93  | 58–84  | 76–121  | 86–129  | 87–132  | 55–75  | 68–75  | 75–115  | 74–96  | 81–85  | 78–82  | 63–82  | 65–73  | 78–82  | 64–93
Bulacan |  |  |  |  |  |  | 58–70  | 69–87  | 85–76  | 66–125  | 105–114  | 76–72  | 68–72  | 73–118  | 73–86  | 61–78  | 64–66  | 67–76  | 88–121  | 56–69  | 56–84  | 79–110  | 60–73  | 100–84  | 70–87  | 68–108  | 75–73  | 75–71  | 90–111
Caloocan |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 90–95  | 91–87*  | 80–71  | 101–81  | 76–72  | 79–75  | 67–75  | 99–74  | 81–80  | 84–82  | 60–67  | 68–76  | 86–80  | 79–62  | 74–82  | 64–67  | 81–49  | 108–82  | 68–76  | 138–59  | 83–72  | 93–74
General Santos |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 86–84  | 68–64  | 89–77  | 72–79  | 82–70  | 85–80  | 87–78  | 60–67  | 88–74  | 93–97  | 81–83*  | 89–82  | 89–55  | 91–76  | 89–71  | 118–77  | 80–78  | 83–88  | 114–92  | 109–86  | 74–71
Iloilo |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 58–61  | 57–55  | 80–87  | 70–66  | 71–83  | 86–79  | 80–72  | 78–82  | 74–80  | 66–93  | 79–92  | 84–85  | 63–75  | 73–64  | 77–51  | 78–75  | 73–75  | 100–98  | 82–79  | 86–80
Imus |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 64–48  | 83–84*  | 72–66  | 103–89  | 96–74  | 90–80  | 88–83*  | 63–84  | 72–93  | 81–86  | 68–74  | 60–79  | 75–77  | 79–58  | 65–71  | 82–93  | 90–87  | 80–66  | 54–71
Laguna |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 67–72  | —[b] | 87–94  | 74–78  | 62–70  | 72–76*  | 70–97  | 85–109  | 74–68  | 78–88  | 72–84  | 76–101  | 102–94  | 71–75  | 63–110  | 85–101  | 69–73  | 62–92
Makati |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 86–64  | 73–71  | 77–60  | 66–67  | 75–86  | 68–61  | 102–97*  | 76–65  | 76–61  | 75–70  | 72–80  | 92–70  | 81–73  | 95–84  | 113–88  | 86–60  | 95–75
Manila |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 77–79  | 78–80  | 74–85  | 60–69  | 98–107  | 63–91  | 72–74  | 70–77  | 77–89  | 62–73  | 90–100*  | 94–98  | 85–109  | 64–81  | 93–83  | 80–105
Marikina |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 96–90  | 75–79*  | 69–58  | 86–88*  | 75–83  | 95–89  | 72–75*  | 66–71  | 73–70  | 89–50  | 90–70  | 75–73  | 103–105*  | 81–68  | 74–71
Mindoro |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 75–84  | 77–92  | 69–84  | 70–91  | 80–84  | 86–89*  | 79–88  | 80–85  | 79–77  | 68–75  | 100–116  | 107–97  | 110–93  | 83–102
Muntinlupa |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 77–71  | 67–71  | 73–87  | 73–63  | 71–72  | 87–84*  | 78–85  | 76–43  | 64–69  | 91–90  | 105–104*  | 89–79  | 67–89
Negros |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 72–94  | 66–79  | 74–78  | 73–79  | 76–85  | 80–82  | 77–61  | 69–78  | 66–73  | 103–109*  | 94–75  | 71–72
Nueva Ecija |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 64–76  | 91–74  | 88–79  | 69–65  | 86–87*  | 95–53  | 87–70  | 99–97*  | 123–134**  | 107–78  | 65–67
Pampanga |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 88–82  | 108–89  | 81–66  | 83–60  | 115–79  | 93–80  | 89–73  | 99–92  | 79–55  | 77–71
Parañaque |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 79–98  | 58–96  | 61–75  | 87–73  | 79–80  | 82–88  | 77–75  | 84–75  | 86–77*
Pasay |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 64–77  | 49–64  | 72–64  | 65–59  | 75–74  | 69–84  | 89–60  | 66–77
Pasig City |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 58–74  | 96–72  | 82–64  | 90–75  | 65–82  | 85–62  | 93–95*
Quezon |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 81–63  | 74–73  | 69–98  | 87–92*  | 89–77  | 70–66
Quezon City |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 66–102  | 77–113  | 68–94  | 88–79  | 66–99
Rizal |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 65–79  | 77–71  | 80–85  | 57–74
San Juan |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 103–87  | 115–86  | 66–80
Sarangani |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 107–98  | 63–83
Valenzuela |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 54–98
Zamboanga |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |

Source: Standings
Legend: Blue = left column team win; Red = top row team win.
Matches with lighter background shading were decided after overtime.
Notes:

1. ^ The Bataan–Laguna game was forfeited due to Laguna's late arrival. As per FIBA rules, Bataan won the game and was awarded a score of 20–0.
2. ^ The Laguna–Manila game, originally scheduled for September 22, 2023, was going to be postponed due to health concerns brought by volcanic smog. It was later cancelled due to it having no effect on playoff standings.

## Playoffs

[edit]

Main article: 2023 MPBL playoffs

The 2023 MPBL playoffs began on October 6, 2023.

### 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

### Division quarterfinals

[edit]

#### North Division

[edit]

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

#### South Division

[edit]

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

### Division semifinals

[edit]

#### North Division

[edit]

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 | —

#### South Division

[edit]

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

### Division finals

[edit]

#### North Division

[edit]

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  | —

#### South Division

[edit]

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  | —

### MPBL finals

[edit]

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 | — | —

## All-Star Game

[edit]

Main article: 2023 MPBL All-Star Game

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.

## Records and milestones

[edit]

### Records

[edit]

* May 30, 2023 – Justine Baltazar of the Pampanga Giant Lanterns broke the single-game rebounding record, with 27 rebounds against the Bataan Risers.[6]
* June 3, 2023:
* Jeff Viernes of the Sarangani Marlins broke the single-game scoring record, with 50 points against the Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards, beating the previous record held by John Wilson in 2019.[7]
* Sarangani won 134–123, putting an end to Nueva Ecija's 32-game regular season winning streak, which began at the start of the 2022 season. The 257 total points scored between the two teams is also the most such in a single game.[7]
* August 2, 2023 – Poypoy Actub of the Imus SV Squad broke the single-game dunking record, with 7 dunks against the Bulacan Kuyas.[8]
* September 30, 2023 – The Pampanga Giant Lanterns tied the record for most wins in a single season, earning its 26th win against the San Juan Knights. The San Juan Knights and Davao Occidental Tigers both had 26 wins in the 2019–20 season.

### Milestones

[edit]

* March 11, 2023 – James Castro becomes the 14th player to reach 1,000 MPBL career points.
* March 20, 2023 – Chito Jaime becomes the 15th player to reach 1,000 MPBL career points.
* March 25, 2023 – Allan Mangahas becomes the 16th player to reach 1,000 MPBL career points.
* March 27, 2023 – Alwyn Alday becomes the 17th player to reach 1,000 MPBL career points.
* March 30, 2023 – Felix Apreku becomes the 2nd player to reach 1,000 MPBL career rebounds.
* April 14, 2023 - Jay-R Taganas becomes the 3rd player to reach 1,000 MPBL career rebounds.
* May 6, 2023 – Chris Bitoon becomes the 18th player to reach 1,000 MPBL career points.
* May 10, 2023 – Dhon Reverente becomes the 19th player to reach 1,000 MPBL career points.
* May 22, 2023 – Mark Montuano becomes the 20th player to reach 1,000 MPBL career points.
* June 7, 2023:
* Paul Sanga becomes the 21st player to reach 1,000 MPBL career points.
* Reil Cervantes becomes the 22nd player to reach 1,000 MPBL career points.
* June 8, 2023 - James Martinez becomes the 23rd player to reach 1,000 MPBL career points.
* June 21, 2023 - Dhon Reverente becomes the 4th player to reach 1,000 MPBL career rebounds.
* Dhon Reverente also becomes the second player to reach 1,000 MPBL career points and rebounds.
* July 5, 2023 – Jeff Viernes becomes the 24th player to reach 1,000 MPBL career points.
* August 14, 2023 – Robin Roño becomes the 25th player to reach 1,000 MPBL career points.
* September 18, 2023 – Paolo Hubalde becomes the 26th player to reach 1,000 MPBL career points.
* October 24, 2023 – Dave Moralde becomes the 27th player to reach 1,000 MPBL career points.
* October 28, 2023:
* Jeckster Apinan becomes the 5th player to reach 1,000 MPBL career rebounds.
* Jeckster Apinan also becomes the third player to reach 1,000 MPBL career points and rebounds.
* Jhaymo Eguilos becomes the 28th player to reach 1,000 MPBL career points.

## Statistics

[edit]

### Individual statistical leaders

[edit]

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%

### Team statistical leaders

[edit]

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

## Awards

[edit]

### Individual season awards

[edit]

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

### All-MPBL teams

[edit]

| All-MPBL First Team

Player  | Team
Justine Baltazar | Pampanga Giant Lanterns
Jaycee Marcelino | Zamboanga Family's Brand Sardines
Will McAloney | Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards
Jhan Nermal | Bacoor City Strikers
Orlan Wamar Jr. | San Juan Knights
| All-MPBL Second Team

Player  | Team
Jeckster Apinan | Batangas City Embassy Chill
Robby Celiz | Makati OKBet Kings
Archie Concepcion | Pampanga Giant Lanterns
Ryan Costelo | Pasig City MCW Sports
James Kwekuteye | Bacoor City Strikers

### Players of the Week

[edit]

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) |

## Notable events

[edit]

* August 8, 2023 – The Bataan–Laguna game was forfeited in Bataan's favor, marking the first time in league history that a game was forfeited in its entirety. (The Basilan–Davao Occidental playoff game in 2021 was classified as "defaulted".)[11]
* September 17, 2023 – Over 30 MPBL players were drafted during the PBA Season 48 draft, a big increase from the seven drafted in Season 47. Nueva Ecija's Kemark Cariño was the first MPBL player and first local player drafted, picked 13th overall by the Terrafirma Dyip during the second round.[12]

## Junior MPBL tournaments

[edit]

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

## Media

[edit]

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.

## Notes

[edit]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b c "MPBL welcomes Quezon Province, Negros Muscovados". Manila Bulletin. January 30, 2023. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
2. ^ "Pampanga sweeps Bacoor to win MPBL title on the road". Philippine Star. December 2, 2023. Retrieved December 2, 2023.
3. ^ Aquino, Roselle (February 17, 2023). "OKBet continues to support sports, promote responsible gaming". The Manila Times. Retrieved March 11, 2023.
4. ^ "Zamboanga rules MPBL Preseason Cup". Philstar.com. Retrieved October 7, 2023.
5. ^ a b "MPBL games in Marikina cancelled due to Metro Manila smog". Spin.ph. Retrieved September 30, 2023.
6. ^ "Baltazar hauls MPBL record 27 rebounds as Pampanga stretches win streak". Philstar.com. Retrieved June 3, 2023.
7. ^ a b "Viernes sets MPBL record 50 points in Sarangani's 2OT win". Philstar.com. Retrieved June 3, 2023.
8. ^ "MPBL: Actub leads Imus dunk fest as Pasig, Marikina triumph". Philstar.com. Retrieved August 3, 2023.
9. ^ "Justine Baltazar is runaway winner of MPBL MVP award". Spin.ph. Retrieved December 4, 2023.
10. ^ "Pampanga sweeps Bacoor to win MPBL title on the road". Philippine Star. December 2, 2023. Retrieved December 2, 2023.
11. ^ "Laguna loses MPBL game by default after arriving 45 minutes late". spin.ph. Retrieved August 9, 2023.
12. ^ "What does Season 48 PBA Rookie Draft mean for Philippine basketball?". ESPN.com. September 19, 2023. Retrieved September 20, 2023.
13. ^ Matel, Philip (July 10, 2023). "Junior MPBL seeks expansion after maiden season". RAPPLER. Retrieved August 27, 2023.

* v
* t
* e

MPBL seasons

* 2018
* 2018–19
* 2019–20
* ~~2020–21~~
* 2022
* 2023
* 2024

The 2020–21 season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

* v
* t
* e

2023 MPBL season

* Invitational
* All-Star Game
* Playoffs
* Finals

North Division|

Bataan
Bulacan
Caloocan
Makati
Manila
Marikina
Nueva Ecija
Pampanga
Parañaque
Pasay
Pasig City
Quezon City
Rizal
San Juan
Valenzuela

South Division|

Bacolod
Bacoor City
Batangas City
Bicol
General Santos
Iloilo
Imus
Laguna
Mindoro
Muntinlupa
Negros
Quezon
Sarangani
Zamboanga
*[Pos]: Position
*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template
*[Pld]: Played
*[W]: Won
*[L]: Lost
*[GB]: Games behind