Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League

The Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) is a regional men's[1] semi-professional basketball league in the Philippines.

Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL)
Current season, competition or edition:
2020 MPBL Playoffs
SportBasketball
FoundedAugust 29, 2017 (2017-08-29)
FounderManny Pacquiao
Inaugural season2018–19
COOZaldy Realubit
CommissionerKenneth Duremdes
MottoAng Liga Ng Bawat Pilipino
(transl.The League of Every Filipino)
No. of teams31
Country Philippines
HeadquartersMetro Manila, Philippines
ContinentFIBA Asia (Asia)
Most recent
champion(s)
San Juan Knights
(2018–19 Datu Cup)
Most titlesSan Juan Knights-Go for Gold (1)
Batangas City Athletics-Tanduay (1)
Official websiteMPBL

History

Manny Pacquiao launched the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League on August 29, 2017.[2] According to Pacquiao, the league is not intended to be a competitor to the Philippine Basketball Association, the country's top professional basketball league. The MPBL will feature both a regional commercial and barangay-level league with teams on the commercial side to have a home locality in addition to a corporate sponsor.[3]

In the first months, the league hosted teams from Luzon with future plans to expand to accommodate teams based in Visayas and Mindanao like the defunct Metropolitan Basketball Association. It is planned that an expanded MPBL will have two conferences, North and South, where the best teams from both divisions will face in the finals similar to the format of the National Basketball Association of the United States.[3]

The league was planned to start as early as September 23, 2017 with at least six teams.[4] A pre-season was held with the Bulacan Kuyas finishing as champions.[5]

The inaugural cup of the MPBL, the Anta Rajah Cup commenced on January 25, 2018 and was participated in by ten teams.[6] In the opening game at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, the Parañaque Patriots secured a 70–60 victory over the Caloocan Supremos.[7] The first conference ran until April 19, 2018 where the Batangas City Athletics crowned as the league's first-ever champion.

After the Anta Rajah Cup, the MPBL conducted staging of the second conference, which was patterned after the National Basketball Association (NBA). The tournament began on June 12, 2018, coinciding with the Philippine Independence Day celebration, with additional expansion teams including from the Visayas and Mindanao region will set to join the year-long conference divided into Northern and Southern Conferences.[8] The two winning teams from the divisions will face off in the National Championships and the winner will bring home a 10-million pesos worth trophy and ball rings to be given for the members of the champion squad.[9]

After its inaugural cup, the 2018 Anta Rajah Cup, the MPBL had expanded its roster of teams to 26. All teams are expected to play in the next cup. After the ten expansion teams were admitted into the league, it closed its doors for new applicants from Luzon. This was done to leave room for future Visayas and Mindanao teams. A meeting in Cebu was held on April 28 for potential Visayas and Mindanao teams.[10] Davao Occidental Tigers became the first MPBL team from the Visayas-Mindanao region.

The 2019–20 season was postponed or indefinitely and the 2020–21 season was cancelled altogether due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[11]

Teams

The MPBL originated with 10 charter teams on its inaugural season. After its first successful season, it attracted a lot of teams across the Philippines to join. There are 23 teams from Luzon, 3 teams from Visayas and 5 teams from Mindanao.

Team Locality Main Sponsor Arena Capacity Founded Joined Head coach
Northern Division
1Bataan Risers - Camaya Coast Balanga, Bataan Camaya Coast People's Center Capitol 4,000 2018 Jonas Villanueva
Bulacan Kuyas Malolos, Bulacan
Baliuag, Bulacan
Bulacan Capitol Gymnasium
Baliwag Star Arena
Malolos Sports and Convention Center
5,000
5,000
5,000
2017 Kerwin McCoy
Caloocan Supremos Caloocan,
Metro Manila
Victory Liner, Inc. Caloocan Sports Complex 3,000 2017 John Kallos
Makati Super Crunch[12][13] Makati,
Metro Manila
Prifoods Corporation Makati Coliseum 12,000 2018 Beaujing Acot
Manila Stars[14] Manila,
Metro Manila
Frontrow International San Andres Sports Complex
Ninoy Aquino Stadium
3,000
6,000
2018 Tino Pinat
Marikina Shoemasters[15] Marikina,
Metro Manila
Marist School Gym
Marikina Sports Center
2,500
7,000
2018 Elvis Tolentino
Navotas Uni-Pak Sardines Navotas,
Metro Manila
Slord Development Corporation Navotas Sports Complex 1,000 2018 Gabby Severino
Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards Cabanatuan,
Nueva Ecija
Araullo University Gym 3,000 2019 Charles Tiu
Pampanga Giant Lanterns[16] Angeles, Pampanga
San Fernando, Pampanga
ADG Group of Companies Angeles University Foundation Gymnasium
Don Honorio Ventura State University Gymnasium
2,000
3,000
2018 Bong Ramos
Parañaque Patriots Parañaque,
Metro Manila
yabo Sports Olivarez College Coliseum 3,500 2017 Michael Saguiguit
Pasay Voyagers[17] Pasay,
Metro Manila
Cuneta Astrodome 12,000 2018 Marlon Martin
Pasig Sta. Lucia Realtors[18] Pasig,
Metro Manila
Sta. Lucia Land Inc. Pasig Sports Center 2,500 1987*
1998*
2018 Bong Dela Cruz
Quezon City Capitals Quezon City,
Metro Manila
Web Marketers Specialist Association of the Philippines Inc. Blue Eagle Gym
Henry Noble Gymnasium, Trinity University of Asia
JCSGO Seed Dome
7,500
980
1,000
2018 Christian Coronel
Rizal Golden Coolers
- Xentro Mall
[14][19]
Antipolo, Rizal PTC Foodsphere Asia Corp.
AMRC Holdings Company, Inc.
Ynares Center 7,400 2018 Jayvee Gayoso
San Juan Knights
- Go For Gold
[20]
San Juan,
Metro Manila
Powerball Marketing & Logistics Corporation Filoil Flying V Centre 5,500 1999* 2018 Randy Alcantara
Val City - Carga Backload Solution Valenzuela,
Metro Manila
Carga Backload Solution Bahayang Pag-asa Sports Complex 3,000 2018 Ronjay Enrile
Southern Division
Bacoor City Strikers[21] Bacoor, Cavite Strike Gymnasium 1,500 2018 Chris Gavina
Basilan Steel
- Jumbo Plastic
[22][23]
Lamitan, Basilan AliKaiser International Incorporated Lamitan Capitol Gymnasium 3,000 2018 Jerson Cabiltes
Batangas City Tanduay Athletics Batangas City, Batangas
Lipa, Batangas
Tanduay Distillers, Inc. Batangas City Sports Coliseum
Batangas State University Gymnasium
De La Salle Lipa SENTRUM
4,000
2,500
1,000
2018 Woody Co
Bacolod Master Sardines Bacolod,
Negros Occidental
Universal Canning Inc. La Salle Coliseum
STI West Negros University Gymnasium
8,000
5,000
2019 Vic Ycasiano
Bicol Volcanoes - LCC Malls Bicol Region
Legazpi, Albay
Naga,
Camarines Sur
Liberty Commercial Center, Inc. Albay Astrodome
Ibalong Centrum for Recreation
Jesse M. Robredo Coliseum
5,000
8,000
~12,000
2019 Monel Kallos
Cebu - Casino Ethyl Alcohol[24][25] Cebu City, Cebu
Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu
International Pharmaceuticals Inc. USJ-R Basak Coliseum
Hoops Dome
Aznar Coliseum
4,000
6,500
3,000
2018 Noynoy Falcasantos
Davao Occidental Tigers
- Cocolife
[26]
Davao Occidental
Davao City,
Davao del Sur
United Coconut Planters Life Assurance Corporation University of Southeastern Philippines Gymnasium & Cultural Center
Rizal Memorial Colleges Petro Gazz Arena
Davao City Recreation Center
6,000
2,000
2,500
2018 Don Dulay
GenSan Warriors[27] General Santos,
South Cotabato
Burlington Industries Philippines, Inc. Lagao Gymnasium 6,000 2005* 2018 Rich Alvarez
Iloilo United Royals Iloilo City, Iloilo University of San Agustin Gymnasium 5,000 2019 Eric Gonzales
Imus Bandera - Luxxe Slim Imus, Cavite Frontrow International
GLC Truck & Equipment
Imus Sports Complex
AATF Sports Complex
1,000
2,000
2018 Raymund Valenzona
Biñan City Luxxe White[28] Biñan, Laguna Krah Pipes Manila Inc.
Frontrow International
Alonte Sports Arena 6,500 2018 Dennis Miranda
Mindoro Tamaraws - JAC Liner Calapan,
Oriental Mindoro
JAC Liner TBA N/A 2019 Justin Tan
Muntinlupa Cagers Muntinlupa,
Metro Manila
Angelis Resort Muntinlupa Sports Center 3,000 2018 Louie Gonzales
Sarangani Marlins Alabel,
Sarangani
Sarangani Capitol Gymnasium N/A 1998* 2019 Manuel Torralba
Zamboanga Family's Brand Sardines[27] Zamboanga City,
Zamboanga del Sur
Universal Canning Inc. Mayor Vitaliano D. Agan Coliseum 10,000 2018 Britt Reroma
Notes
  1. The Pasig Pirates (as Pasig-Rizal Pirates), San Juan Knights and Soccsksargen Marlins were founded during the active years of Metropolitan Basketball Association (MBA).
  2. The General Santos Warriors was founded in 2005 as GenSan MP PacMan Warriors and participated in Mindanao Visayas Basketball Association (MVBA), National Basketball Conference (NBC) and Liga Pilipinas in 2008.
  3. The Sta. Lucia Realtors was founded in 1987 from the Philippine Basketball League (PBL)
    Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) in 1993 and the Pilipinas Commercial Basketball League (PCBL) in 2015.

Venues

TeamArenaImageLocationCapacity
1Bataan Risers - Camaya Coast Bataan People's Center Balanga, Bataan 4,000
Imus Bandera - Luxxe White Imus Sports Complex
AATF Sports Complex
Imus, Cavite 1,000
2,000
Muntinlupa Cagers - Angelis Resort Muntinlupa Sports Center Muntinlupa,
Metro Manila
3,000
Batangas City Tanduay Athletics Batangas City Sports Coliseum
Batangas State University Gymnasium
De La Salle Lipa SENTRUM

Batangas City,
Batangas
Lipa, Batangas
4,000
2,500
1,000
Bulacan Kuyas Bulacan Capitol Gymnasium
Baliwag Star Arena
Malolos Sports and Convention Center


Malolos, Bulacan
Baliuag, Bulacan
5,000
5,000
5,000
Caloocan Supremos - Victory Liner Caloocan Sports Complex Caloocan,
Metro Manila
3,000
Parañaque Patriots - yabo Sports Olivarez College Coliseum Parañaque,
Metro Manila
3,500
Navotas Uni-Pak Sardines Navotas Sports Complex Navotas,
Metro Manila
1,000
Quezon City Capitals - WEMSAP Blue Eagle Gym
Henry Noble Gymnasium, Trinity University of Asia
JCSGO Seed Dome
Quezon City,
Metro Manila
7,500
980
1,000
Val City - Carga Backload Solution Valenzuela Astrodome
Bahayang Pag-asa Sports Complex
Valenzuela,
Metro Manila
3,000
Makati Super Crunch Makati Coliseum Makati,
Metro Manila
12,000
Pasay Voyagers Cuneta Astrodome Pasay,
Metro Manila
12,000
San Juan Knights - Go for Gold Filoil Flying V Centre San Juan,
Metro Manila
5,500
Pasig Sta. Lucia Realtors Pasig Sports Center
Ynares Sports Arena
Pasig,
Metro Manila
2,500
3,000
Marikina Shoemasters Marist School Gym
Marikina Sports Center
Marikina,
Metro Manila
2,500
7,000
Rizal Golden Coolers - Xentro Mall Ynares Center Antipolo, Rizal 7,400
Biñan City Luxxe White Alonte Sports Arena
Santa Rosa Sports Complex

Biñan, Laguna
Santa Rosa, Laguna
6,500
5,700
Bacoor City Strikers Strike Gymnasium Bacoor, Cavite 1,500
Pampanga Giant Lanterns Angeles University Foundation Sports and Cultural Center
Bren Z. Guiao Sports Complex and Convention Center
Angeles, Pampanga
San Fernando, Pampanga
2,000
3,000
Zamboanga Family's Brand Sardines Mayor Vitaliano D. Agan Coliseum Zamboanga City,
Zamboanga del Sur
10,000
Basilan Steel - Jumbo Plastic Lamitan Capitol Gym Lamitan, Basilan 3,000
GenSan Warriors - Burlington Lagao Gymnasium General Santos,
South Cotabato
6,000
Davao Occidental Tigers - Cocolife University of Southeastern Philippines Gymnasium & Cultural Center
Rizal Memorial Colleges Petro Gazz Arena
Davao City Recreation Center
RDR Gymnasium
Davao Occidental
Davao City,
Davao del Sur
Tagum
6,000
2,000
2,500
N/A
Cebu - Casino Ethyl Alcohol USJ-R Basak Coliseum
Hoops Dome
Aznar Coliseum

Cebu City, Cebu
Lapu-Lapu, Cebu
4,000
6,500
7,000
Manila Stars - Frontrow San Andres Sports Complex
Ninoy Aquino Stadium

Malate,
Manila,
Metro Manila
3,000
6,000
Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards Araullo University Gym
San Leonardo Gymnasium
Cabanatuan,
Nueva Ecija
San Leonardo, Nueva Ecija
3,000
Bicol Volcanoes - LCC Malls Albay Astrodome
Ibalong Centrum for Recreation
Jesse M. Robredo Coliseum
Bicol Region
Legazpi, Albay
Naga, Camarines Sur
5,000
8,000
~12,000
Mindoro Tamaraws - JAC Liner TBA Calapan,
Oriental Mindoro
N/A
Iloilo United Royals University of San Agustin Gymnasium
Iloilo Sports Complex
Passi City Arena
Iloilo City, Iloilo
Passi, Iloilo
5,000
3,000
2,000
Bacolod Master Sardines La Salle Coliseum
STI West Negros University Gymnasium
Bacolod,
Negros Occidental
8,000
5,000
Sarangani Marlins Sarangani Capitol Gymnasium Alabel,
Sarangani
N/A
N/A
(Opening games)
Smart Araneta Coliseum
Mall of Asia Arena

Cubao,
Quezon City,
Metro Manila
Bay City,
Pasay,
Metro Manila
25,000
15,000
N/A
(All-star games)
Mall of Asia Arena Bay City,
Pasay,
Metro Manila
15,000

League Championships

TeamsWinLossTotalYear(s) wonYear(s) lost
Batangas City1012018
San Juan1012019
Muntinlupa0112018
Davao Occidental0112019

Media Coverage

ABS-CBN Sports and ABS-CBN Regional Network Group was the official broadcaster of the league and airs games of the MPBL through S+A Channel 23 and S+A HD Channel 166 also on Liga Channel 86 and Liga HD Channel 183. Selected national finals games will be aired through ABS-CBN. The broadcasting deal was announced on January 11, 2018.[29] The games aired internationally via The Filipino Channel, also the games were been aired on Fox Sports Asia during Monday games until the 2018-19 championship.

The games were also available via livestreaming through the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League Facebook page, ABS-CBN Sports Website and iWant TFC.

However, their contract with the network's sports division expired and leaved in jeopardy, due to the issue of legislative franchise renewal and the denial of the franchise, which leads to the sports division's dissolution following their retrenchment on August 31.

Rules

Game regulations

  1. FIBA Rules

Player eligibility/limits

  1. At least three (3) homegrown talents per team
  2. Only one Filipino-Foreign Player per team with 6'4" height limit is allowed on every team
  3. Maximum of five (5) Ex-Professional (Ex-Pro) players per team

Notable people

Founder

Commissioners

No.CommissionerTenure
FromTo
1Snow BaduaAugust 29, 2017November 22, 2017
2Kenneth DuremdesNovember 22, 2017incumbent

See also

References

  1. "From humble origins in GenSan, Manny Pacquiao's MPBL is now a nation-wide league". Sports. 13 June 2018. Retrieved 16 June 2018. nd as the semi-professional league continues to grow, it’s amazing to think that it all started with a ‘pa-liga’ in General Santos City.
  2. Del Rosario, Paolo (29 August 2017). "Senator Manny Pacquiao launches new basketball league". CNN Philippines (in English and Filipino). Retrieved 23 January 2018.
  3. Henson, Joaquin (3 September 2017). "MPBL won't compete with PBA". The Philippine Star. Retrieved 23 January 2018.
  4. Lintag, Paul (29 August 2017). "Home-and-away games make grand return through Maharlika Pilipinas". ABS-CBN Sports. Retrieved 23 January 2018.
  5. "ABS-CBN S+A is the official broadcaster of the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League". 12 January 2018. Retrieved 26 January 2018.
  6. Leongson, Randolph (22 January 2018). "Maharlika basketball league tips off Thursday with 10 teams at Big Dome". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved 23 January 2018.
  7. Leongson, Randolph (25 January 2018). "Pacquiao's dream league comes to reality; Parañaque wins". Inquirer.net. Retrieved 26 January 2018.
  8. Henson, Joaquin F. (April 11, 2018). "Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League opens next joust June 12". The Philippine Star. Retrieved April 11, 2018.
  9. Joble, Rey. "P10-M trophy, ball ring to be given to MPBL national champ". Fox Sports. Retrieved April 18, 2018.
  10. Lagunzad, Jerome. "20 teams, so far, in MPBL". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved April 26, 2018.
  11. Tupas, Cedelf (1 June 2020). "MPBL cancels 2020-2021 season". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved 2 June 2020.
  12. Joble, Rey (2018-04-10). "MPBL reaches Sweet 16 as Makati enters as latest expansion ball club". Fox Sports Philippines. Retrieved April 11, 2018.
  13. "Makati ditches Skyscrapers MPBL moniker as team unveils Super Crunch". Fox Sports. November 5, 2018. Retrieved November 5, 2018.
  14. Joble, Rey (2018-04-08). "Manila, Team Rizal raise Maharlika Pilipinas member teams to 15". Fox Sports Philippines. Retrieved April 8, 2018.
  15. Joble, Rey (2018-04-25). "Ex-Navotas stars likely to rejoin old coach in new team in Marikina". Fox Sports Philippines. Retrieved April 25, 2018.
  16. Joble, Rey (2018-04-24). "MPBL: Anybody wants to know what Pampanga's moniker is?". Fox Sports Philippines. Retrieved April 25, 2018.
  17. Joble, Rey (2018-05-13). "Unheralded Lastimosa, 2 ex-pros lead Pasay's MPBL campaign". Fox Sports Philippines. Retrieved May 13, 2018.
  18. Reyes, Jonas Egan (2018-04-04). "Pasig Pirates set to sail again". Fox Sports Philippines. Retrieved April 6, 2018.
  19. Joble, Rey. "Team Rizal planning to change moniker for MPBL season". Fox Sports Philippines. Retrieved June 11, 2018.
  20. Joble, Rey (2018-04-07). "Ex-Senator Estrada excited to see Cardona-led San Juan Knights in MPBL". Fox Sports Philippines. Retrieved April 8, 2018.
  21. Joble, Rey (2018-05-22). "MPBL welcomes Bacoor Strikers as 26th squad". Fox Sports Philippines. Retrieved May 23, 2018.
  22. Joble, Rey (2018-05-10). "MPBL wants to show good side of 25th member squad Basilan". Fox Sports Philippines. Retrieved May 12, 2018.
  23. Joble, Rey (2018-05-25). "Basilan hopes to live up to team's new moniker". Fox Sports Philippines. Retrieved May 25, 2018.
  24. Joble, Rey (2018-05-04). "Cebu Niños return, join MPBL as fourth southern expansion team". Fox Sports Philippines. Retrieved May 5, 2018.
  25. Panerio, Jonas (May 22, 2018). "Cebu City Sharks excited over chance to play more home games in MPBL debut". Spin.ph. Retrieved May 25, 2018.
  26. Joble, Rey (2018-04-30). "Davao Occidental first MPBL southern team to sign as expansion club". Fox Sports Philippines. Retrieved April 30, 2018.
  27. Joble, Rey (May 2, 2018). "Gen San, Zamboanga join Davao Occi in MPBL's Vis-Min expansion". Fox Sports Asia. Retrieved May 2, 2018.
  28. Joble, Rey (2018-04-05). "Laguna 2nd expansion squad to join MPBL; San Juan, Makati next in line". Fox Sports Philippines. Retrieved April 6, 2018.
  29. "ABS-CBN S+A is broadcaster of Pacman's cage league". Manila Standard. 12 January 2018. Retrieved 23 January 2018.
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