2022 MPBL Finals

The 2022 Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) Finals (also known as the 2022 MPBL Mumbaki Cup Finals), was the best-of-5 championship series of the 2022 MPBL season and the conclusion of the season's playoffs. The Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards, the MPBL Northern Division champion, and Zamboanga Family's Brand Sardines as the MPBL Southern Division Champion, competed for the fourth championship contested by the league. This was the first MPBL finals to implement a 2–2–1 home game format due to geographical reasons.[1] The Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards wins the national championship title after defeating Zamboanga Family's Brand Sardines 3–1 game series. John Byron Villarias named as the 2022 MPBL Finals MVP.[2]

2022 MPBL Finals
TeamCoachWins
Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards Jerson Cabiltes 3
Zamboanga Family's Brand Sardines Vic Ycasiano 1
DatesDecember 2–12, 2022
MVPByron Villarias
Northern finalsNueva Ecija def. San Juan, 2–1
Southern finalsZamboanga def.
Batangas City, 2–1

Background

Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards

The Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards debuted in the 2019–20 MPBL season, they placed 11th in the Northern Division. They finished the 2021 MPBL Invitational as runner-up after being defeated by the Basilan Peace Riders on a game winning basket in overtime. They finished the regular season with a 21–0 win-loss record, thus, the Rice Vanguards were able to clinch the first seed and home court advantage throughout the playoffs. In the first two rounds of the playoffs, The Rice Vanguards easily won against the Marikina Shoemasters and the Pampanga Giant Lanterns both in two games each. In the Northern Division Finals, they met the 2021 season runner-up San Juan Knights, battling for the Northern Division title. In Game 1, the Rice Vanguards was defeated by the Knights for the first time this season, but they manage to win the next two games. This was the first national championship appearance for the Rice Vanguards.[3]

Zamboanga Family's Brand Sardines

The Zamboanga Family's Brand Sardines debuted in the 2018–19 MPBL season where they were the 6th seed, and reached the Southern Division Semifinals. Zamboanga ended their regular season with 18–3 win-loss record, to become the top seed in the South Division and clinch home court advantage for the division playoffs. They easily defeated the Muntinlupa Cagers in the first round and then forced a Game 3 against the Bacolod Bingo Plus in the Division Semifinals. In the division finals, they faced the 2018 MPBL Rajah Cup Champions Batangas City Embassy Chill they lost the first game, but forced Game 3 and won, to claim its division title and advance to its first ever national championship appearance.[4]

Road to the Finals
Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards (Northern Division Champion)Zamboanga Family's Brand Sardines (Southern Division Champion)
Pos Team W L PCT GB Qualification
1 Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards 21 0 1.000 — Playoffs
2 Pasig City MCW Sports 14 7 .667[lower-alpha 1] 7
3 San Juan Knights–Go for Gold 14 7 .667[lower-alpha 1] 7
4 Pampanga Giant Lanterns 14 7 .667[lower-alpha 1] 7
5 1Bataan Risers-Camaya Coast 13 8 .619 8
6 Valenzuela XUR Homes Realty Inc. 10 11 .476 11
7 Quezon City MG 9 12 .429 12
8 Marikina Shoemasters 8 13 .381 13
9 Caloocan Excellence 6 15 .286[lower-alpha 2] 15
10 Manila Stars 6 15 .286[lower-alpha 2] 15
11 Makati × MNL Kingpin 2 19 .095 19
Source: Standings
Notes:
  1. Head-to-head record: Pasig 2–0, San Juan 1–1, Pampanga 0–2
  2. Head-to-head record: Caloocan 1–0 Manila
1st seed in the North, 1st best league record		 Regular season
Pos Team W L PCT GB Qualification
1 Zamboanga Family's Brand Sardines 18 3 .857 — Playoffs
2 Batangas City Embassy Chill 17 4 .810 1
3 Sarangani Marlins 16 5 .762 2
4 GenSan Warriors 15 6 .714 3
5 Bacolod Bingo Plus 14 7 .667 4
6 Rizal Golden Coolers Xentromall 10 11 .476 8
7 Bacoor City Strikers 9 12 .429 9
8 Muntinlupa Cagers 6 15 .286 12
9 Imus City Bandera 5 16 .238 13
10 Laguna Heroes Krah Asia 3 18 .143 15
11 Mindoro Tams Idol Cheesedog 1 20 .048 17
Source: Standings
1st seed in the South, 2nd best league record
Defeated 8th-seeded Marikina Shoemasters, 2–0 First Round Defeated 8th-seeded Muntinlupa Cagers, 2–0
Defeated 4th-seeded Pampanga Giant Lanterns, 2–0 Division Semifinals Defeated 5th-seeded Bacolod Bingo Plus, 2–1
Defeated 3rd-seeded San Juan Knights, 2–1 Division Finals Defeated 2nd-seeded Batangas City Embassy Chill, 2–1

Head-to-head matchup
August 8
9:00 pm
Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards 81–76 Zamboanga Family's Brand Sardines
Scoring by quarter: 11–13, 27–16, 21–27, 22–20
Pts: Michael Juico 16
Rebs: Michael Mabulac 7
Asts: Hesed Gabo 13		 Pts: Jaycee Marcelino, Jerald Bautista 15
Rebs: Chris Dumapig 12
Asts: Irven Palencia 5
Nueva Ecija Coliseum, Palayan, Nueva Ecija

Series summary
GameDateVenueWinnerResult
1December 2Nueva Ecija ColiseumNueva Ecija Rice Vanguards81–75
2December 5Nueva Ecija ColiseumNueva Ecija Rice Vanguards75–74
3December 9Mayor Vitaliano D. Agan ColiseumZamboanga Family's Brand Sardines75–65
4December 12Mayor Vitaliano D. Agan ColiseumNueva Ecija Rice Vanguards69–56

MPBL Finals Series

Game 1
December 2
6:30 pm
Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards 81–75 Zamboanga Family's Brand Sardines
Scoring by quarter: 15–14, 14–16, 27–18, 25–27
Pts: Hesed Gabo 22
Rebs: Michael Juico 11
Asts: Hesed Gabo 6		 Pts: Chris Dumapig 15
Rebs: Jhaymo Enguilos 8
Asts: Jaycee Marcelino 8
Nueva Ecija lead series, 1–0
Nueva Ecija Coliseum, Palayan, Nueva Ecija
Referees: J. Belnas, R. Brila, J. Castroverde,

Game 2
December 5
6:30 pm
Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards 75–74 Zamboanga Family's Brand Sardines
Scoring by quarter: 13–20, 24–18, 21–12, 17–24
Pts: Jay Collado 13
Rebs: Michael Juico, Will McAloney 9
Asts: Michael Mabulac 4		 Pts: Jaycee Marcelino 26
Rebs: Jaycee Marcelino 7
Asts: three players 4
Nueva Ecija lead series, 2–0
Nueva Ecija Coliseum, Palayan, Nueva Ecija
Referees: S. Pingolz, J. Ocfemia, B. Estroga,

Game 3
December 9
9:00 pm
Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards 65–75 Zamboanga Family's Brand Sardines
Scoring by quarter: 16–16, 12–22, 20–15, 17–22
Pts: Michael Mabulac 15
Rebs: Michael Mavulac, Will McAloney 8
Asts: Chris Bitoon 6		 Pts: Jaycee Marcelino 22
Rebs: Jaycee Marcelino 10
Asts: Jaycee Marcelino 9
Nueva Ecija lead series 2–1
Mayor Vitaliano D. Agan Coliseum, Zamboanga City
Referees: A. Manzano, J. Macailo, E. Villarosa,

Game 4
December 12
6:30 pm
Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards 69–56 Zamboanga Family's Brand Sardines
Scoring by quarter: 15–15, 25–9, 9–16, 20–16
Pts: John Villarias 14
Rebs: John Villarias, JR Taganas 10
Asts: Hesed Gabo 9		 Pts: Jaycee Marcelino 17
Rebs: Jhaymo Enguilos, Ralph Tansingco 8
Asts: Jayvee Marcelino 3
Nueva Ecija wins series 3–1
Mayor Vitaliano D. Agan Coliseum, Zamboanga City

Broadcast notes

One PH and One Sports + is the official broadcaster of the 2022 Finals, also simulcast via Facebook, YouTube, and Kumu.

GameOne PH and One Sports + (Delayed Telecast)
Play-by-playAnalystCourtside reporter
Game 1Cedelf TupasJayvee GayosoMica Abesamis
Game 2Cedelf TupasLouie GonzalezGianna Lianes
Game 3Migs GomezJavi PalañaSel Guevara and Sydney Crespo
Game 4Migs GomezJavi PalañaMica Abesamis and Sydney Crespo

Prizes

The national champion will receive the National Championship Trophy, and ball rings which will await the National Champions as per league founder Manny Pacquiao and Commissioner Kenneth Duremdes.

References
  1. Saldajeno, Ivan Stewart (November 29, 2022). "Tough grind awaits Zamboanga, Nueva Ecija in MPBL Finals". Philippine News Agency. Retrieved December 2, 2022.
  2. "Nueva Ecija finishes off Zamboanga in Game 4 to lift MPBL trophy". spin.ph. December 12, 2022. Retrieved December 13, 2022.
  3. "Nueva Ecija clinches MPBL North division crown". Rappler. December 2, 2022. Retrieved November 26, 2022.
  4. "Zamboanga completes huge comeback to seal MPBL Finals date vs. Nueva Ecija". Dugour. December 2, 2022. Retrieved November 26, 2022.
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