2023 MPBL season
LeagueMaharlika Pilipinas Basketball League
SportBasketball
DurationRegular season:
March 11 – October 3, 2023
Playoffs:
October 6 – November 17, 2023
Finals:
November 25 – December 2, 2023
Number of games405 (regular season)
28 (playoffs)
Number of teams29
TV partner(s)Cignal TV (One PH, One Sports+, Media Pilipinas TV, Cignal Play, Pilipinas Live)
Regular season
Top seedPampanga Giant Lanterns
Season MVPJustine Baltazar (Pampanga)
Playoffs
North Division championsPampanga Giant Lanterns
  North Division runners-upSan Juan Knights
South Division championsBacoor City Strikers
  South Division runners-upBatangas City Embassy Chill
Finals
ChampionsPampanga Giant Lanterns
  Runners-upBacoor City Strikers
Finals MVPJustine Baltazar (Pampanga)

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 and was originally scheduled to end on September 30, 2023, but got postponed to October 3, 2023. The playoffs began on October 6, 2023 and ended on December 2, 2023, when the Pampanga Giant Lanterns defeated the Bacoor City Strikers in three games in the 2023 MPBL Finals.[1] This season featured 29 teams, which included two expansion teams: the Negros Muscovados and the Quezon Huskers.

The opening ceremonies took place at the Quezon Convention Center in Lucena, Quezon. The 2023 MPBL All-Star Game was held at Bataan People's Center in Balanga, Bataan, where the North Division beat the South Division for the first time with a score of 99–91.

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.[2]

OKBet continued to be the league's title sponsor throughout the regular season.[3]

Teams

Team changes

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. 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 teams in 2022 to 29 teams in 2023.[2]

Every returning team is allocated to its previous division, while both Negros and Quezon are placed in the South Division. The Rizal Golden Coolers were realigned back to the North Division.

Arenas

Expansion team
Returning team
Team switched divisions
New arena
Neutral
EventArenaCapacity
–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

  • 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

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
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

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.[2]

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]

Opening ceremony

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.

Regular season

Format

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

  • 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

North Division

Pos Team 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[lower-alpha 1] 9 7
6 San Juan Knights 28 19[lower-alpha 1] 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[lower-alpha 2] 25 23
15 Valenzuela XUR Homes Realty Inc. 28 3[lower-alpha 2] 25 23
Source: Standings
Rules for classification: 1) Wins; 2) Head-to-head record; 3) Head-to-head point differential; 4) Head-to-head points scored; 5) Overall point differential; 6) Overall points scored.
Notes:
  1. 1 2 Pasig wins tiebreaker over San Juan based on head-to-head victory.
  2. 1 2 Quezon City wins tiebreaker over Valenzuela based on head-to-head victory.

South Division

Pos Team 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[lower-alpha 1] 17 12
10 Sarangani Marlins 28 11[lower-alpha 1] 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; 2) Head-to-head record; 3) Head-to-head point differential; 4) Head-to-head points scored; 5) Overall point differential; 6) Overall points scored.
Notes:
  1. 1 2 Bacolod wins tiebreaker over Sarangani based on head-to-head victory.

Results

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[lower-alpha 1] 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 —[lower-alpha 2] 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

The 2023 MPBL playoffs began on October 6, 2023.

Bracket

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

Summary

First Round

Team 1SeriesTeam 2 Game 1Game 2Game 3
North Division
(1) Pampanga Giant Lanterns 2–0 (8) Marikina Shoemasters 82–7081–61—
(2) Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards 2–0 (7) Pasay Voyagers 85–8171–62—
(3) Makati OKBet Kings 0–2 (6) San Juan Knights 84–9592–95
(2OT)		—
(4) Caloocan Batang Kankaloo 2–1 (5) Pasig City MCW Sports 71–6961–6568–60
South Division
(1) Bacoor City Strikers 2–1 (8) Iloilo United Royals 86–8992–5272–61
(2) Batangas City Embassy Chill 2–0 (7) Imus SV Squad 78–7161–59—
(3) GenSan Warriors 2–1 (6) Muntinlupa Cagers 79–7091–9985–78
(4) Zamboanga Family's Brand Sardines 2–1 (5) Quezon Huskers 77–6858–6588–76

Division Semifinals

Team 1SeriesTeam 2 Game 1Game 2Game 3
North Division
(1) Pampanga Giant Lanterns 2–0 (4) Caloocan Batang Kankaloo 74–6393–77—
(2) Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards 0–2 (6) San Juan Knights 82–8680–88—
South Division
(1) Bacoor City Strikers 2–0 (4) Zamboanga Family's Brand Sardines 61–5678–72—
(2) Batangas City Embassy Chill 2–1 (3) GenSan Warriors 81–7555–6166–62

Division Finals

Team 1SeriesTeam 2 Game 1Game 2Game 3
North Division
(1) Pampanga Giant Lanterns 2–0 (6) San Juan Knights 86–8282–76—
South Division
(1) Bacoor City Strikers 2–0 (2) Batangas City Embassy Chill 89–6854–49—

MPBL Finals

Team 1SeriesTeam 2 Game 1Game 2Game 3Game 4Game 5
(N1) Pampanga Giant Lanterns 3–0 (S1) Bacoor City Strikers 71–5868–6582–77——

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

Records

Milestones

  • 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 second player to reach 1,000 MPBL career rebounds.
  • May 22, 2023 – Mark Montuano becomes the 18th player to reach 1,000 MPBL career points.
  • May 27, 2023 – Chris Bitoon becomes the 19th player to reach 1,000 MPBL career points.
  • May 30, 2023 – Dhon Reverente 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.
    • James Martinez becomes the 23rd player to reach 1,000 MPBL career points.
  • June 26, 2023 – Dhon Reverente 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 18, 2023 – Robin Roño becomes the 25th player to reach 1,000 MPBL career points.
  • October 14, 2023 – Jhaymo Eguilos 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.

Statistics

Individual statistical leaders

CategoryPlayerTeamStatistic
Points per gameJeff ViernesSarangani Marlins17.7
Rebounds per gameJustine BaltazarPampanga Giant Lanterns16.9
Assists per gamePaulo HubaldeMindoro Disiplinados8.3
Steals per gameJeckster ApinanBatangas City Embassy Chill2.3
Blocks per gameJason BallesterosPasig City MCW Sports1.5
Fouls per gameJamil Gabawan
Ryan Ongteco		Bataan Risers
Iloilo United Royals		3.2
Minutes per gameJustine BaltazarPampanga Giant Lanterns31.3
FG%Justine BaltazarPampanga Giant Lanterns54.4%
FT%Rafael AreSarangani Marlins83.1%
3FG%Rodel VayganMindoro Disiplinados43.7%

Team statistical leaders

CategoryTeamStatistic
Points per gamePampanga Giant Lanterns88.9
Rebounds per gamePampanga Giant Lanterns55.8
Assists per gameNueva Ecija Rice Vanguards25.7
Steals per gameNueva Ecija Rice Vanguards10.4
Blocks per gameMarikina Shoemasters3.9
Turnovers per gameBicol Volcanoes17.8

Awards

Individual season awards

Most of the league's individual season 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. 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.

Two new awards were introduced this season, these awards are the Most Improved Player and the Impact Player of the Year.

Award Recipient Team
Most Valuable Player Justine BaltazarPampanga Giant Lanterns
Finals Most Valuable Player Justine BaltazarPampanga Giant Lanterns
Defensive Player of the Year Jason BallesterosPasig City MCW Sports
Rookie of the Year Adrian NocumSan Juan Knights
Homegrown Player of the Year Cris MasaglangGenSan Warriors
Most Improved Player Jhan NermalBacoor City Strikers
Impact Player of the Year Poypoy ActubImus SV Squad
Coach of the Year Dennis PinedaPampanga Giant Lanterns
Executive of the Year Manuel Carlos Ilagan Jr.Bataan Risers
MPBL Sportsmanship Award Jay-R TaganasNueva Ecija Rice Vanguards

All-MPBL teams

All-MPBL First Team
Player Team
Justine BaltazarPampanga Giant Lanterns
Jaycee MarcelinoZamboanga Family's Brand Sardines
Will McAloneyNueva Ecija Rice Vanguards
Jhan NermalBacoor City Strikers
Orlan Wamar Jr.San Juan Knights
All-MPBL Second Team
Player Team
Jeckster ApinanBatangas City Embassy Chill
Robby CelizMakati OKBet Kings
Archie ConcepcionPampanga Giant Lanterns
Ryan CosteloPasig City MCW Sports
James KwekuteyeBacoor City Strikers

Players of the Week

This is the first season in which the league awards 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.

The league also did not give out the Player of the Week in weeks leading to breaks, as well as in the last week of the regular season.

WeekPlayerRef.
Regular season
March 11–18, 2023Jerick Nacpil (Bulacan Kuyas)
March 20–26, 2023Jimboy Estrada (Imus SV Squad)
March 27 – April 1, 2023Shane Menina (Pasig City MCW Sports)
April 3–4, 2023Not awarded (Holy Week)
April 13–15, 2023Troy Mallillin (Rizal Golden Coolers)
April 17–22, 2023Laurenz Victoria (Pasay Voyagers)
April 24–29, 2023Agem Miranda (Oriental Mindoro Disiplinados)
May 1–6, 2023Justine Baltazar (Pampanga Giant Lanterns) (1/6)
May 8–13, 2023Justine Baltazar (Pampanga Giant Lanterns) (2/6)
May 15–20, 2023Justine Baltazar (Pampanga Giant Lanterns) (3/6)
May 22–27, 2023Jhan Nermal (Bacoor City Strikers) (1/2)
May 29 – June 3, 2023Jeff Viernes (Sarangani Marlins)
June 5–10, 2023Justine Baltazar (Pampanga Giant Lanterns) (4/6)
June 12–17, 2023Jhan Nermal (Bacoor City Strikers) (2/2)
June 19–24, 2023Jaymar Gimpayan (Imus SV Squad)
June 26 – July 1, 2023Justine Baltazar (Pampanga Giant Lanterns) (5/6)
July 3–8, 2023Ryan Costelo (Pasig City MCW Sports)
July 10–15, 2023Omar Larupay (Iloilo United Royals)
July 17–22, 2023Justine Baltazar (Pampanga Giant Lanterns) (6/6)
July 24–29, 2023Mark Sarangay (Bacolod Maskaras)
July 31 – August 5, 2023Keith Agovida (Makati OKBet Kings)
August 7–12, 2023Poypoy Actub (Imus SV Squad)
August 14–19, 2023Yves Sazon (Bataan Risers)
August 21–24, 2023Not awarded (FIBA Basketball World Cup)
September 11–14, 2023Ian Melencio (Muntinlupa Cagers)
September 18–23, 2023Rodel Gravera (Quezon Huskers)
September 25–30, 2023Not awarded
Playoffs
October 6–7, 2023Gabby Espinas (Caloocan Batang Kankaloo)
October 9–14, 2023Robbie Manalang (Pasig City MCW Sports)
October 16–21, 2023Ian Melencio (Muntinlupa Cagers)
October 24–28, 2023Orlan Wamar Jr. (San Juan Knights)
November 3–4, 2023Michael Calisaan (San Juan Knights)

Notable events

  • 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".)[9]
  • 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.[10]

Junior MPBL tournaments

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.[11] The following tournaments took place during the 2023 professional season.

Media

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

    References

    1. ↑ "Pampanga sweeps Bacoor to win MPBL title on the road". Philippine Star. December 2, 2023. Retrieved December 2, 2023.
    2. 1 2 3 "MPBL welcomes Quezon Province, Negros Muscovados". Manila Bulletin. January 30, 2023. Retrieved February 4, 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. 1 2 "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. 1 2 "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. ↑ "Laguna loses MPBL game by default after arriving 45 minutes late". spin.ph. Retrieved August 9, 2023.
    10. ↑ "What does Season 48 PBA Rookie Draft mean for Philippine basketball?". ESPN.com. September 19, 2023. Retrieved September 20, 2023.
    11. ↑ Matel, Philip (July 10, 2023). "Junior MPBL seeks expansion after maiden season". RAPPLER. Retrieved August 27, 2023.
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