2019–20 MPBL season
The 2019–2020 MPBL season, known as the MPBL Lakan Season or the Chooks-to-Go MPBL Lakan Season for sponsorship reasons, was the third season of the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League. It began June 12, 2019 and ended on March 21, 2021, nearly two years later due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines causing a one-year long suspension that lasted from March 11, 2020 to March 10, 2021. The season resumed on March 11, 2021 with a bubble in Subic, Zambales.
2019–20 MPBL Lakan Season | |
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League | Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League |
Sport | Basketball |
Duration | Regular season: June 12, 2019 – February 12, 2020 Playoffs: February 15 – March 11, 2020 (before suspension) March 10–21, 2021 (resumption) |
Number of teams | 31 |
TV partner(s) | A2Z (Channel 11) ABS-CBN S+A (Channel 23 and Channel 166 HD) Liga (Channel 83 and Channel 186 HD) iWant TFC (online streaming) Fox Sports Asia (cable international, Mondays only) The Filipino Channel (international) |
MPBL Playoffs | |
North Division champions | San Juan Knights |
North Division runners-up | Makati Super Crunch |
South Division champions | Davao Occidental Tigers |
South Division runners-up | Basilan Steel |
MPBL Finals | |
Champions | Davao Occidental Tigers |
Runners-up | San Juan Knights |
Finals MVP | Mark Yee (Davao Occidental) |
This season featured 31 teams, an increase from last season's 26 and is currently the most teams in a single season in league history.
The San Juan Knights entered the season as defending champions, defeating the Davao Occidental Tigers, three games to two, in the 2019 MPBL Finals. The two teams would meet again in the 2021 MPBL Finals, where Davao Occidental would get their revenge, beating San Juan, three games to one.[1]
Format
The format for this season was:
- All 31 teams are divided into two divisions: the Northern and Southern Divisions, which consist of 16 and 15 teams, respectively.
- Like previous seasons, teams will play in a single round-robin format during the regular season, with each team playing 30 games, playing each team once. Games are played in a team's homecourt, but not all games feature the home team, technically making them neutral site games.
- At the end of the regular season, all teams are ranked by their win-loss records. The top eight teams in each division advance to the playoffs.
- The first three rounds of the playoffs will be a best-of-three series, while the MPBL Finals will be a best-of-five series.
- Unlike most sports, homecourt advantage in the playoffs works differently in the MPBL:
- In the First Round, the first- and second-seeded teams host all game 1s in its own division, while the third- and fourth-seeded teams host all game 2s in its own division. Any game 3s will be hosted by the first- or second-seeded teams.
- In the Semifinals, the highest-seeded team hosts all game 1s in its own division, while the second highest-seeded team hosts all game 2s in its own division. Any game 3s will be hosted by the highest-seeded team that hasn't advanced yet.
- In the Divisional Finals and National Finals, a traditional homecourt advantage system is used. A 1-1-1 format is used for the Divisional Finals, while a 2-2-1 format is used for the National Finals.
- The winning team from each playoff series advances to the next round until one team from each division remains, where the champion is decided in the MPBL Finals.
Transactions
Coaching changes
Off-season | ||
---|---|---|
Team | Outgoing coach | Incoming coach |
Bataan Risers | Jojo Lastimosa | Jong Uichico |
Batangas City Athletics | Mac Tan | Goldwyn Monteverde |
Bacoor Strikers | Leo Issac | Chris Gavina |
Imus Khaleb Shawarma | Mike Orquillas | Buddz Reyes |
Manila Stars | Philip Cezar | Tino Pinat |
Muntinlupa Cagers | Jack Azcueta | Richie Melencio |
Parañaque Patriots | Monel Kallos | Michael Saguiguit |
Pasig Sta. Lucia Realtors | Ronjay Enrile | Bong Dela Cruz |
Rizal Golden Coolers | Braulio Lim Jr. | Jayvee Gayoso |
Valenzuela SPVTOP Marketplace | Juven Formacil | Gerry Esplana |
Mid-season | ||
Team | Outgoing coach | Incoming coach |
Basilan Steel | Gino Enriquez | Jerson Cabiltes |
1Bataan Risers | Jong Uichico | Jonas Villanueva |
Batangas City Athletics | Goldwyn Monteverde | Woody Co |
Binan City Luxxe White | Alex Angeles | Dennis Miranda |
Bulacan Kuyas | Britt Reroma | Kerwin McCoy |
Cebu Casino Ethyl Alcohol | Titing Manalili | Noynoy Falcasantos |
Imus Bandera - Luxxe Slim | Buddz Reyes Mac Cuan Eugene Tan |
Mac Cuan Eugene Tan Raymund Valenzona |
GenSan Warriors | Jesus Ramon Pido | Rich Alvarez |
Makati Super Crunch | Pocholo Villanueva | Beaujing Acot |
Mindoro Tamaraws | Bengie Teodoro | Justin Tan |
Muntinlupa Cagers | Richie Melencio Dave Moralde |
Dave Moralde Bonnie Garcia |
Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards | Eric Gascon Alvin Grey |
Alvin Grey Charles Tiu |
Pasay Voyagers | Cholo Martin | Marlon Martin |
Quezon City Capitals | Vis Valencia | Christian Coronel |
Zamboanga Family's Brand Sardines | Raymund Valenzona Bai Cristobal |
Bai Cristobal Britt Reroma |
Sarangani Marlins | Biboy Simon Bong Melocoton Manuel Torralba |
Bong Melocoton Manuel Torralba John Kallos |
Val City - Carga Backload Solution | Gerry Esplana | Ronjay Enrile |
Team changes
Departing teams
The Mandaluyong El Tigre would depart from the league, marking the first time a team didn't return to compete.
Expansion teams
Meanwhile, this season introduced six new expansion teams. These include the Bacolod Master Sardines, Bicol Volcanoes, Iloilo United Royals, Mindoro Tamaraws, Nueva Ecija MiGuard, and Soccsksargen Marlins.
This increased the number of participating teams up to 31, currently the most for a single season in league history.
Team realignment
Also for the first time, there was a realignment within divisions. The Marikina Shoemasters, Parañaque Patriots, and Rizal Golden Coolers all moved to the Northern Division.
Name changes
- The Zamboanga Valientes were relaunched as Zamboanga Family's Brand Sardines before the start of the season.
- The Cebu City Sharks changed their team name to Cebu Sharks before the start of the season, then later as Cebu Casino Ethyl Alcohol in October 2019
- The Imus Bandera changed their team name to Imus Khaleb Shawarma before the start of the season, then later as Imus Bandera-Luxxe Slim in December 2019
- The Laguna Heroes changed their team name to Biñan City Krah Heroes before the start of the season, then later as Biñan City Luxxe White in November 2019
- The Navotas Clutch changed their team name to Navotas Uni-Pak Sardines in June 2019
- The Valenzuela Classic changed their team name to Valenzuela SPVTOP Marketplace in June 2019, then later as Val City-Carga Backload Solution in November 2019
- The Nueva Ecija MiGuard changed their team name to Nueva Ecija ForestLake in August 2019, then later as Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards in October 2019
- The Soccsksargen Marlins-Armor On changed their team name to Sarangani Marlins in November 2019
Opening ceremony
The opening ceremony took place on June 12, 2019 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay, coinciding with Philippine Independence Day.[2]
The muses for the participating teams are as follows:
Team | Muse | Ref |
---|---|---|
Bacolod Master Sardines | ||
Bacoor Strikers | ||
Basilan Steel | Sharifa Akeel | |
Bataan Risers | Rolyn Angela Tungol | |
Batangas City Athletics | Jeanette Reyes | |
Bicol Volcanoes | ||
Bulacan Kuyas | ||
Caloocan Supremos | ||
Cebu Casino Ethyl Alcohol | ||
Davao Occidental Tigers | Vickie Rushton | |
GenSan Warriors | Pamela Sue | |
Iloilo United Royals | ||
Imus Bandera | ||
Laguna Heroes | ||
Makati Super Crunch | ||
Manila Stars | Ahtisa Manalo | |
Marikina Shoemasters | Sophie Albert | |
Mindoro Tamaraws | Princess Legaspi | |
Muntinlupa Cagers | ||
Navotas Clutch | Anne Tenorio | |
Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards | ||
Pampanga Giant Lanterns | Zara Carbonell | |
Parañaque Patriots | Nikka Castro | |
Pasay Voyagers | Rachel May Libres | |
Pasig Sta. Lucia Realtors | Mikaela Gabrielle Bañares | |
Quezon City Capitals | Samantha Bernardo | |
Rizal Golden Coolers | Patricia Reyes | |
San Juan Knights | Nadine Lustre | |
Sarangani Marlins | ||
Valenzuela Classic | Abby Dizor | |
Zamboanga Family's Brand Sardines | Joana Tan-Pe | |
Regular season
Northern Division
Pos | Team | Pld | W | L | PCT | GB | Qualification |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | San Juan Knights | 30 | 26 | 4 | .867 | — | Playoffs |
2 | Manila Stars | 30 | 25 | 5 | .833 | 1 | |
3 | Makati Super Crunch | 30 | 22 | 8 | .733 | 4 | |
4 | Pampanga Giant Lanterns | 30 | 21 | 9 | .700 | 5 | |
5 | Bataan Risers | 30 | 20 | 10 | .667 | 6 | |
6 | Bulacan Kuyas | 30 | 19 | 11 | .633 | 7 | |
7 | Pasig Sta. Lucia Realtors | 30 | 18 | 12 | .600 | 8 | |
8 | Pasay Voyagers | 30 | 17 | 13 | .567 | 9 | |
9 | Caloocan Supremos | 30 | 16 | 14 | .533 | 10 | |
10 | Valenzuela Classic | 30 | 11 | 19 | .367 | 15 | |
11 | Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards | 30 | 10 | 20 | .333 | 16 | |
12 | Quezon City Capitals | 30 | 10 | 20 | .333 | 16 | |
13 | Marikina Shoemasters | 30 | 8 | 22 | .267 | 18 | |
14 | Parañaque Patriots | 30 | 8 | 22 | .267 | 18 | |
15 | Navotas Uni-Pak Sardines | 29 | 7 | 22 | .241 | 18.5 | |
16 | Rizal Golden Coolers | 29 | 7 | 22 | .241 | 18.5 |
Rules for classification: 1) Wins; 2) Head-to-head matchup, 3) Head-to-head point differential 4) Record vs. the other division, 5) Overall point differential
Southern Division
Pos | Team | Pld | W | L | PCT | GB | Qualification |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Davao Occidental Tigers | 30 | 26 | 4 | .867 | — | Playoffs |
2 | Bacoor City Strikers | 30 | 24 | 6 | .800 | 2 | |
3 | Basilan Steel | 30 | 20 | 10 | .667 | 6 | |
4 | Batangas City Athletics | 30 | 19 | 11 | .633 | 7 | |
5 | Zamboanga Family's Brand Sardines | 30 | 18 | 12 | .600[lower-alpha 1] | 8 | |
6 | Iloilo United Royals | 30 | 18 | 12 | .600[lower-alpha 1] | 8 | |
7 | GenSan Warriors | 30 | 18 | 12 | .600[lower-alpha 1] | 8 | |
8 | Bicol Volcanoes | 30 | 16 | 14 | .533 | 10 | |
9 | Cebu Casino Ethyl Alcohol | 30 | 15 | 15 | .500 | 11 | |
10 | Biñan City Luxxe White | 30 | 12 | 18 | .400 | 14 | |
11 | Bacolod Master Sardines | 30 | 11 | 19 | .367 | 15 | |
12 | Mindoro Tamaraws | 30 | 9 | 21 | .300 | 17 | |
13 | Muntinlupa Cagers | 30 | 7 | 23 | .233 | 19 | |
14 | Imus Bandera-Luxxe Slim | 30 | 6 | 24 | .200 | 20 | |
15 | Sarangani Marlins | 30 | 1 | 29 | .033 | 25 |
Rules for classification: 1) Wins; 2) Head-to-head matchup, 3) Head-to-head point differential 4) Record vs. the other division, 5) Overall point differential
Notes:
- Head-to-Head: Zamboanga 1–1 +8 PD; Iloilo 1–1 -3 PD; General Santos 1–1 -5 PD.
Results
Not all games are in home–away format. Each team plays every team once. Number of asterisks after each score denotes number of overtimes played.
Playoffs
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 home court advantage, the higher seeded team, are shown in italics.
First Round (Best-of-3) | Division Semifinals (Best-of-3) | Division Finals (Best-of-3) | MPBL Finals (Best-of-5) | ||||||||||||||||
N1 | San Juan | 2 | |||||||||||||||||
N8 | Pasay | 0 | |||||||||||||||||
N1 | San Juan | 2 | |||||||||||||||||
N4 | Pampanga | 0 | |||||||||||||||||
N4 | Pampanga | 2 | |||||||||||||||||
N5 | Bataan | 0 | |||||||||||||||||
N1 | San Juan | 2 | |||||||||||||||||
Northern Division | |||||||||||||||||||
N3 | Makati | 1 | |||||||||||||||||
N2 | Manila | 2 | |||||||||||||||||
N7 | Pasig | 0 | |||||||||||||||||
N2 | Manila | 1 | |||||||||||||||||
N3 | Makati | 2 | |||||||||||||||||
N3 | Makati | 2 | |||||||||||||||||
N6 | Bulacan | 0 | |||||||||||||||||
N1 | San Juan | 1 | |||||||||||||||||
S1 | Davao Occidental | 3 | |||||||||||||||||
S1 | Davao Occidental | 2 | |||||||||||||||||
S8 | Bicol | 1 | |||||||||||||||||
S1 | Davao Occidental | 2 | |||||||||||||||||
S5 | Zamboanga | 0 | |||||||||||||||||
S4 | Batangas City | 1 | |||||||||||||||||
S5 | Zamboanga | 2 | |||||||||||||||||
S1 | Davao Occidental | 2 | |||||||||||||||||
Southern Division | |||||||||||||||||||
S3 | Basilan | 1 | |||||||||||||||||
S2 | Bacoor City | 2 | |||||||||||||||||
S7 | GenSan | 0 | |||||||||||||||||
S2 | Bacoor City | 1 | |||||||||||||||||
S3 | Basilan | 2 | |||||||||||||||||
S3 | Basilan | 2 | |||||||||||||||||
S6 | Iloilo | 0 |
Northern Division
The Makati Super Crunch were unable to host games at the Makati Coliseum; so for the instances that they were to host a game, their opponents hosted, instead.
First round
In the first round, the teams were grouped into two groups. The No. 1 and the No. 4 teams hosted alternately, while the No. 2 and No. 3 teams did the same, with the top two seeds hosting game 3 if they are still in contention.
Team 1 | Series | Team 2 | Game 1 | Game 2 | Game 3 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
San Juan Knights | 2–0 | Pasay Voyagers | 75–74 | 74–67 | — |
Manila Stars | 2–0 | Pasig Sta. Lucia Realtors | 91–88 | 82–80 | — |
Makati Super Crunch | 2–0 | Bulacan Kuyas | 94–88 | 86–78 | — |
Pampanga Giant Lanterns | 2–0 | Bataan Risers | 71–64 | 83–80 | — |
Division Semifinals
The top two remaining seeds hosted alternately, with the top remaining seeded team hosting game 3 if they are still in contention.
Team 1 | Series | Team 2 | Game 1 | Game 2 | Game 3 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
San Juan Knights | 2–0 | Pampanga Giant Lanterns | 86–84 | 91–83 | — |
Manila Stars | 1–2 | Makati Super Crunch | 77–74 | 59–75 | 75–78 (OT) |
Division Finals
The remaining teams would've hosted alternately. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, game 2 was played behind closed doors. Competition was then suspended for a year, until the league were cleared by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases to host a bubble in Subic, Zambales, where all remaining games were played.
Team 1 | Series | Team 2 | Game 1 | Game 2 | Game 3 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
San Juan Knights | 2–1 | Makati Super Crunch | 76–60 | 88–91 | 131–54 |
Southern Division
The Davao Occidental Tigers were unable to host a game in Davao Occidental due to lack of facilities; all of the games they would have hosted have been held in the Metro Davao area.
First round
In the first round, the teams were grouped into two groups. The No. 1 and the No. 4 teams hosted alternately, while the No. 2 and No. 3 teams did the same, with the top two seeds hosting game 3 if they are still in contention.
Team 1 | Series | Team 2 | Game 1 | Game 2 | Game 3 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Davao Occidental Tigers | 2–1 | Bicol Volcanoes | 77–71 | 81–84 | 64–56 (OT) |
Bacoor City Strikers | 2–0 | GenSan Warriors | 95–72 | 69–60 | — |
Basilan Steel | 2–0 | Iloilo United Royals | 83–68 | 70–63 | — |
Batangas City Athletics | 1–2 | Zamboanga Family's Brand Sardines | 74–78 | 84–75 | 52–69 |
Division Semifinals
The top two remaining seeds hosted alternately, with the top remaining seeded team hosting game 3 if they are still in contention.
Team 1 | Series | Team 2 | Game 1 | Game 2 | Game 3 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Davao Occidental Tigers | 2–0 | Zamboanga Family's Brand Sardines | 47–28 | 62–58 | — |
Bacoor City Strikers | 1–2 | Basilan Steel | 63–77 | 80–69 | 76–84 |
Division Finals
The remaining teams would've hosted alternately. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the game 2, which was supposed to be hosted by the lower-seeded team, was played behind closed doors. Competition was then suspended for a year, until the league were cleared by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases to host a bubble in Subic, Zambales, where all remaining games will be played.
The Basilan Steel defaulted Game 3 after multiple positive COVID-19 tests inside the bubble.
Team 1 | Series | Team 2 | Game 1 | Game 2 | Game 3 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Davao Occidental Tigers | 2–1 | Basilan Steel | 72–74 | 81–76 | 2–0 (default) |
MPBL Finals
All games will be held in the Subic Gym Gymnasium in Subic, Zambales inside a bubble.
Team 1 | Series | Team 2 | Game 1 | Game 2 | Game 3 | Game 4 | Game 5 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
San Juan Knights | 1–3 | Davao Occidental Tigers | 75–77 (OT) | 70–65 | 58–66 | 88–89 (OT) | — |
Awards
The individual league awards was given during the Game 4 of the 2021 MPBL Lakan Cup National Finals at the Subic Bay Gymnasium in Subic.[4]
Awards | Winner (s) | Team | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|
Season Most Valuable Player | John Wilson | San Juan Knights | |
Finals Most Valuable Player | Mark Yee | Davao Occidental Tigers | [5] |
Defensive Player of the Year | Mark Yee | Davao Occidental Tigers | |
Sportsmanship Award | Billy Ray Robles | Davao Occidental Tigers | |
All-MPBL First Team | John Wilson | San Juan Knights | |
Mike Ayonayon | San Juan Knights | ||
Mark Yee | Davao Occidental Tigers | ||
Jeric Teng | Pasig Sta. Lucia Realtors | ||
Jeckster Apinan | Makati Super Crunch | ||
All-MPBL Second Team | Gab Banal | Bacoor City Strikers | |
John Raymundo | GenSan Warriors | ||
Aris Dionisio | Manila Stars | ||
Chris Bitoon | Manila Stars | ||
Dhon Reverente | Pasay Voyagers |
Statistics
Week | Player | Stat Line | Against | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
June 12−15, 2019 | Mark Cruz (Pampanga Giant Lanterns) | 16 Points 11 Rebounds 12 Assists | GenSan Warriors | |
June 17−22, 2019 | Aris Dionisio (Manila Stars) | 21 Points 12 Rebounds 3 Assists 2 Blocks | Quezon City Capitals | |
June 24−29, 2019 | Aaron Black (Quezon City Capitals) | 17 Points 11 Rebounds 10 Assists | Biñan City Heroes | |
July 1–6, 2019 | Allan Mangahas (Biñan City Heroes) | 22 Points 13 Rebounds 8 Assists | Cebu Sharks | |
July 8–13, 2019 | ||||
July 15–20, 2019 | Mark Yee (Davao Occidental Tigers) | 21 Points 12 Rebounds 2 Assists | Rizal Golden Coolers | |
July 22–27, 2019 | ||||
July 29 – August 3, 2019 | Edzel Mag-isa (Muntinlupa Cagers) | 24 Points 11 Rebounds 1 Assist | Quezon City Capitals | |
August 5–10, 2019 | ||||
August 12–17, 2019 | ||||
August 19–24, 2019 | ||||
August 26–31, 2019 | ||||
September 2–7, 2019 | Michael Juico (Pampanga Giant Lanterns) | 14 Points 11 Rebounds 1 Assist | Davao Occidental Tigers |
MPBL All Star Game
- On February 13, 2020, the league held its second MPBL All-Star Game at the Mall of Asia Arena where the Southern All-Stars prevailed over the Northern All-Stars for the second time 126–122. Jeff Viernes of the Batangas City Athletics was named as his second MPBL All-Star Game MVP.[6]
Game
February 13 |
Northern All-Stars | 122–126 (OT) | Southern All-Stars |
Scoring by quarter: 23–28, 28–23, 28–29, 33–32, Overtime: 10–14 | ||
Pts: Michael Juico 23 | Pts: Jeff Viernes 28 |
- MPBL All-star MVP: Jeff Viernes (2nd) (Batangas City Athletics)
- Slam Dunk Contest Champion: David Carlos (2nd) (Makati Super Crunch)
- 3-point Shootout Champion: Lester Alvarez (Bulacan Kuyas)
Media coverage
This season marked the final year of both ABS-CBN's and Fox Sports Asia's broadcast rights with the league.
For ABS-CBN, games were broadcast on S+A, Liga, The Filipino Channel, and A2Z, while iWantTFC served as the network's international streaming platform. The network's broadcast rights came to an end after the network's franchise was expired. On the other hand, Fox Sports Asia continued to broadcast Monday games as the league's cable partner. The network itself shut down on October 1, 2021. IBC and TAP DMV would take over the television rights in the following 2021 Invitational.
The league continued to broadcast all of the games on its official Facebook page.
References
- Murillo, Michael Angelo (March 21, 2021). "Davao Occidental claims MPBL Lakan championship". Business World. Retrieved April 4, 2021.
- "MPBL opens newest, biggest season Wednesday at MOA Arena". ABS-CBN Sports. June 12, 2019. Retrieved June 29, 2019.
- Game is stopped at the half for player safety. If the result of this game is essential to the standings of both teams by the end of the regular season, game will be resumed after all regular season games are played.
- Dioquino, Delfin (March 21, 2021). "John Wilson crowned MPBL MVP". Rappler. Retrieved March 21, 2021.
- Terrado, Reuben (March 21, 2021). "Still going strong at 39, Game 4 hero Mark Yee named Finals MVP". Sports Interactive Network. Retrieved March 21, 2021.
- "Jeff Viernes named MVP as South wins in OT in MPBL All-Star game". spin.ph. February 14, 2020. Retrieved October 3, 2022.