2023 MPBL season

The 2023 MPBL season is the ongoing fifth season of the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL). The season began on March 11, 2023. This season features 29 teams, with five teams returning to league alongside two expansion teams.

2023 MPBL season
LeagueMaharlika Pilipinas Basketball League
SportBasketball
DurationRegular season:
March 11 – TBA
Playoffs:
TBA
Number of teams29
TV partner(s)One Sports
One Sports+
One PH
Cignal TV
Kumu
Cignal Play
iWant TFC (online streaming, international)
Media Pilipinas TV (Cignal HD Channel 98)
MPBL (YouTube)
MPBL Playoffs

The league will take two breaks during the regular season, during the Holy Week and for the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup, which the Philippines is co-hosting.[1]

The Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards will enter the season as defending champions, after defeating the Zamboanga Family's Brand Sardines, three games to one, in the 2022 MPBL Finals. The two teams met in the 2023 Preseason Invitational finals, where Zamboanga beat Nueva Ecija, 88–80.

This season marks the second year of OKBet's sponsorship with the league.[2]

Format
  • Just like in previous seasons, all teams will play in a single round-robin regardless of division. This season, each team will play a total of 28 games.
  • A series of games are played during gamedays, with the final game usually having the home team participating.
  • If there are any games which were postponed during the regular season, the game/s shall be played especially if these games will have significant effects in the standings after they are played.
  • If there are ties in the standings, these will be broken via the following criterion: 1) Head-to-head record, 2) Head-to-head point differential, 3) Point differential, 4) Points scored.

Transactions

Coaching changes
Off-season
Team Outgoing coach Incoming coach
Bacolod Maskaras Alexander Angeles Monel Kallos
Bulacan Kuyas - Baliwag City 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 Gaz N Go Alvin Grey Teng Torcuator
Valenzuela XUR Homes Lester Alvarez Jhon Velasquez
Mid-season
Negros Pau Muscovados Rolando Aledron, Jr. Bonnie Garcia
San Juan Knights Randy Alcantara Jinggoy Estrada

Team changes

League expansion

This season featured two expansion teams: the Negros Muscovados making its first regular season appearance after competing in the 2021 Invitational, and the Quezon Huskers making its first league appearance altogether.

Returning teams

All teams from the 2022 season returned to the league alongside five returning teams: Bicol Volcanoes, Bulacan Kuyas, and Iloilo United Royals, all of which last competed in the 2021 Invitational, as well as Parañaque Patriots and Pasay Voyagers, both of which last competed in the 2019–20 season. This, along with the debuts of Negros and Quezon, increases the total number of teams from 22 teams in 2022 to 29 teams for 2023.[1]

Team realignment

The Rizal Golden Coolers were moved back to the Northern Division, where the team was during the 2019–20 season. This was team’s third consecutive realignment.

Name changes
  • The Batangas City Embassy Chill temporarily changed its name to Batangas City Tanduay Rum Masters for the 2023 Preseason Invitational.
  • The Bacolod Bingo Plus changed its name to Bacolod City of Smiles Maskaras before the start of the season.
  • The Caloocan Excellence changed its name to Caloocan Batang Kankaloo before the start of the season.
  • The Imus City Bandera changed its name to Imus SV Squad 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 x 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.
  • The Quezon City MG changed its name to Quezon City Gaz N Go before the start of the season.
  • The Negros Muscovados changed its name to Negros Pau Muscovados on March 30, 2023.

Pre-season

The 2023 MPBL Preseason Invitational served as a pre-season pocket tournament for the 2023 MPBL season. The tournament was held at Lagao Gym in General Santos, home arena of the GenSan Warriors, from February 21–27 with a champions' purse of ₱3 million.[1]

A total of eight teams competed in the tournament. These include seven MPBL teams, as well as Bulalakaw, a local team based in General Santos, and is the league’s first guest team.[3]

Team groupings

The eight teams were divided into two groups of four teams each. The seven participating MPBL teams were then seeded by their winning percentage in the 2022 MPBL season, while guest team Bulalakaw is slotted in Group A.[3]

Group A
Pos Team PCT
A1 Zamboanga Family's Brand Sardines .857
A2 Batangas City Tanduay Rum Masters .810
A3 Sarangani Marlins .762
A4 Bulalakaw —
 Group B
Pos Team PCT
B1 Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards 1.000
B2 GenSan Warriors .714
B3 Valenzuela XUR Homes Realty Inc. .476
B4 Imus SV Squad .238

Elimination round

The elimination round games were played from February 21–24. Teams play against the other teams within their group once, for a total of three elimination games. The top two teams per group would advance to the Semifinals; tiebreaker rules are used should there be any ties.

Group A
Pos Team W L PCT GB Qualification
1 Zamboanga Family's Brand Sardines 2 1 .667[lower-alpha 1] — Semifinals
2 Sarangani Marlins 2 1 .667[lower-alpha 1] —
3 Bulalakaw 1 2 .333[lower-alpha 2] 1
4 Batangas City Tanduay Rum Masters 1 2 .333[lower-alpha 2] 1
Source:
Rules for classification: 1) Wins; 2) Head-to-head matchup, 3) Head-to-head point differential 4) Record vs. the other group, 5) Overall point differential
Notes:
  1. Head-to-Head: Zamboanga-Sarangani 92–85
  2. Head-to-Head: Bulalakaw-Batangas City 72–70

Group B
Pos Team W L PCT GB Qualification
1 Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards 3 0 1.000 — Semifinals
2 Imus SV Squad 2 1 .667 1
3 GenSan Warriors 1 2 .333 2
4 Valenzuela XUR Homes Realty Inc. 0 3 .000 3
Source:
Rules for classification: 1) Wins; 2) Head-to-head matchup, 3) Head-to-head point differential 4) Record vs. the other group, 5) Overall point differential

Playoffs

The playoffs were played on February 25 and 27. The top two teams from each group advanced to the playoffs, which used a single-elimination format. The top teams in each group played the second-placed teams in the other group.

The losing teams from both semifinal matches play in a third-place match, while the winning teams advance to the pre-season finals.

Bracket
Semifinals Finals
      
A1 Zamboanga 89
B2 Imus 82
A1 Zamboanga 88
B1 Nueva Ecija 80
B1 Nueva Ecija 112
A2 Sarangani 89 Third place
B2 Imus 93
A2 Sarangani 76

Notable events
  • 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 in four seasons.
  • 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 second player to reach 1,000 MPBL career rebounds.

Opening ceremony

The opening ceremony was held on March 11, 2023 at Quezon Convention Center in Lucena, Quezon. Rapper Andrew E. was one of the performers to kick off the regular season. Some teams also featured a muse to represent the team.

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.

Regular season

29 teams are currently competing in the regular season.[1][3]

Northern Division
Pos Team W L PCT GB Qualification
1 Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards 9 0 1.000 — Playoffs
2 Pampanga Giant Lanterns 7 0 1.000 1
3 San Juan Knights 6 2 .750 2.5
4 Pasig City MCW Sports 7 3 .700 2.5
5 Makati OKBet Kings 5 3 .625[lower-alpha 1] 3.5
6 Pasay Voyagers 5 3 .625[lower-alpha 1] 3.5
7 Bulacan Kuyas 6 4 .600 3.5
8 Caloocan Batang Kankaloo 5 4 .556 4
9 Parañaque Patriots 5 5 .500 4.5
10 Bataan Risers 4 5 .444 5
11 Marikina Shoemasters 3 6 .333 6
12 Manila Stars 2 7 .222 7
13 Rizal Golden Coolers 2 8 .200[lower-alpha 2] 7.5
14 Quezon City Gaz N Go 2 8 .200[lower-alpha 2] 7.5
15 Valenzuela XUR Homes Realty Inc. 1 8 .111 8
Source: Standings
Rules for classification: 1) Wins; 2) Head-to-head results; 3) Points difference; 4) Points scored.
Notes:
  1. Points difference: Makati +30, Pasay +8
  2. Points difference: Rizal -55, Quezon City -201

Southern Division
Pos Team W L PCT GB Qualification
1 Bacoor City Strikers 8 1 .889 — Playoffs
2 Batangas City Embassy Chill 7 2 .778[lower-alpha 1] 1
3 Zamboanga Family's Brand Sardines 7 2 .778[lower-alpha 1] 1
4 Quezon Huskers 7 2 .778[lower-alpha 1] 1
5 GenSan Warriors 6 2 .750 1.5
6 Muntinlupa Cagers 6 3 .667 2
7 Negros Muscovados 4 5 .444[lower-alpha 2] 4
8 Iloilo United Royals 4 5 .444[lower-alpha 2] 4
9 Sarangani Marlins 4 6 .400 4.5
10 Imus SV Squad 3 5 .375 4.5
11 Bacolod Maskaras 3 7 .300 5.5
12 Laguna Krah Asia 2 8 .200 6.5
13 Oriental Mindoro Disiplinados 1 8 .111 7
14 Bicol Volcanoes 0 9 .000 8
Source: Standings
Rules for classification: 1) Wins; 2) Head-to-head results; 3) Points difference; 4) Points scored.
Notes:
  1. Points difference: Batangas City +176, Zamboanga +103, Quezon +52
  2. Points difference: Negros +9, Iloilo +3

Results
Teams BCD BCR BAT BTG BCL BUL CAL GSW ILO IMS LAG MKT MNL MAR MDR MUN NEC NEG PAM PAR PSY PSG QZP QCC RZL SJK SGN VAL ZAM
Bacolod — 73–69 93–82 58–63 90–86 67–79 72–90 55–61 56–63 69–80 77–89
Bacoor — 75–84** 60–52 75–65 76–62 75–55 93–58 73–49 85–70 76–68
Bataan — 101–58 65–73 71–77 68–65 60–62 69–72 70–61 95–77
Batangas City — 78–55 70–71 94–79 82–56 69–54 111–63 78–70 104–55 74–81
Bicol — 107–115 77–109 104–113 87–132 55–75 74–96 81–85
Bulacan — 58–70 85–76 76–72 67–76 64–66 60–73 100–84 75–73
Caloocan — 67–75 99–74 68–76 74–82 68–76 93–74
GenSan — 68–64 89–77 72–79 85–80 87–78 88–74 81–83* 80–78
Iloilo — 86–79 80–72 74–80 79–92 73–64 73–75
Imus — 88–83* 72–93 60–79 79–58 65–71
Laguna — 62–70 70–97 85–109 74–68 78–88 72–84 102–94 62–92
Makati — 75–86 76–65 75–70
Manila — 74–85 98–107 72–74 64–81 95–75
Marikina — 75–79* 86–88* 72–75* 81–68
Mindoro — 75–84 77–92 80–85 100–116 107–97 83–102
Muntinlupa — 73–63 71–72 76–43 64–69
Nueva Ecija — 91–74 87–70
Negros — 66–79 74–78 80–82 94–75
Pampanga — 79–55
Parañaque — 58–96 87–73
Pasay — 65–59 69–84 89–60 66–77
Pasig — 58–74 82–64 90–75 65–82
Quezon — 74–73 77–113 87–92*
Quezon City — 88–79
Rizal — 80–85
San Juan — 103–87
Sarangani — 63–83
Valenzuela — 54–98
Zamboanga —
Updated to match(es) played on May 16, 2023. Source: Standings
Legend: Blue = left column team win; Red = top row team win.
Matches with lighter background shading were decided after overtime.

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.

Statistics

Individual statistical leaders
Statistics as of May 13, 2023
CategoryPlayerTeamStatistic
Points per gameJustine BaltazarPampanga G Lanterns20.7
Rebounds per gameJustine BaltazarPampanga G Lanterns14.8
Assists per gameMarcy ArellanoManila Stars10.4
Steals per gameJeckster ApinanBatangas City Embassy Chill2.9
Blocks per gameMat William de Leon
Kemark Cariño		Pampanga G Lanterns
Muntinlupa Cagers		1.7
Fouls per gamefour players—3.4
Minutes per gameSherwin ConcepcionOriental Mindoro Disiplinados35.3
FG%Justine BaltazarPampanga G Lanterns62.7%
FT%John WilsonGenSan Warriors91.7%
3FG%Rodel VayganOriental Mindoro Disiplinados58.5%

Team statistical leaders
Statistics as of May 13, 2023
CategoryTeamStatistic
Points per gamePampanga G Lanterns95.8
Rebounds per gamePampanga G Lanterns54.0
Assists per gamePampanga G Lanterns29.0
Steals per gameBatangas City Embassy Chill12.9
Blocks per gamePampanga G Lanterns5.3
Turnovers per gameBicol Volcanoes18.7
Players of the week
WeekPlayerStat LineRef.
March 11–18, 2023Jerick Nacpil
(Bulacan Kuyas)		22.0 Points
10.0 Rebounds
March 19–26, 2023Jimboy Estrada
(Imus SV Squad)		26.0 Points
5.0 Rebounds
6.0 Assists
3.0 Steals
March 27–April 1, 2023Shane Menina
(Pasig City MCW Sports)		17.5 Points
4.0 Rebounds
3.5 Assists
2.5 Steals
April 13–15, 2023Troy Mallillin
(Rizal Golden Coolers)		22.0 Points
14.0 Rebounds
April 16–23, 2023Laurenz Victoria
(Pasay Voyagers)		26.0 Points
4.0 Assists
3.0 Steals
April 24–29, 2023Agem Miranda
(Oriental Mindoro Disiplinados)		33.0 Points
11.0 Rebounds
13.0 Assists
April 30–May 6, 2023Justine Baltazar
(Pampanga G Lanterns)		26.0 Points
22.0 Rebounds
May 7–13, 2023Justine Baltazar (2)
(Pampanga G Lanterns)		23.5 Points
16.5 Rebounds
2.0 Steals
1.5 Blocks

Media coverage

For the second straight year, games are broadcast on One PH, One Sports, One Sports+, and the MPBL's official Facebook page and YouTube channel, Cignal Play and iWantTFC for international streaming. Since April 13, 2023, Media Pilipinas TV began broadcasting all games.

References
  1. "MPBL welcomes Quezon Province, Negros Muscovados". Manila Bulletin. January 30, 2023. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
  2. Aquino, Roselle (February 17, 2023). "OKBet continues to support sports, promote responsible gaming". The Manila Times. Retrieved March 11, 2023.
  3. "P3M at stake in MPBL preseason joust". Philstar.com. Retrieved February 20, 2023.
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