2018–19 MPBL season

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2018–19 MPBL season
LeagueMaharlika Pilipinas Basketball League
SportBasketball
DurationRegular season:
June 12, 2018 – March 11, 2019
Playoffs:
March 12 – April 8, 2019
Finals:
April 11–25, 2019
Number of games364 (regular season)
Number of teams26
TV partner(s)S+A
Fox Sports[1]
Regular season
Top seedBataan Risers
Season MVPGab Banal (Bacoor City)
Playoffs
North Division championsSan Juan Knights
  North Division runners-upManila Stars
South Division championsDavao Occidental Tigers
  South Division runners-upBatangas City Athletics
Finals
ChampionsSan Juan Knights
  Runners-upDavao Occidental Tigers
Finals MVPMike Ayonayon (San Juan)
MPBL seasons

The 2018–19 MPBL season, also known as the MPBL Datu Cup, was the second season of the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League. The regular season began on June 12, 2018 and ended on March 11, 2019. The playoffs then began on March 12, 2019 and ended on April 25, 2019 when the San Juan Knights defeated the Davao Occidental Tigers in five games in the 2019 MPBL Finals.

This season saw sixteen expansion teams, nearly tripling its size from 10 to 26 teams. It also marked the league's national expansion, with five of those teams coming from Visayas and Mindanao. This resulted to the addition of divisions, dividing the entire league into the North and South Divisions, although this only affected playoff seeding and not the overall format of the season, with the playoffs itself expanding to sixteen teams, eight per division.

The opening ceremony took place at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City. The league also held its first ever All-Star Game at the SM Mall of Asia Arena on March 2, 2019, which saw the South Division beating the North Division with a score of 109–84.

Teams[edit]

Expansion[edit]

After a successful inaugural season, sixteen teams joined the league, its biggest expansion to date, bringing the a total of 26 teams. Metro Manila is the region with the most expansion teams at seven, those being the Makati Skyscrapers, Mandaluyong El Tigre, Manila Stars, Marikina Shoemasters, Pasay Voyagers, Pasig Pirates, and San Juan Knights. The Pampanga Lanterns joined from Central Luzon while the Bacoor City Strikers, Laguna Heroes, and Rizal Golden Coolers, joined from Calabarzon.

As part of the league's national expansion, the five remaining expansion teams came from either Visayas or Mindanao. The Cebu City Sharks from Central Visayas are the only expansion team from Visayas. The four teams from Mindanao are the Zamboanga Valientes representing the Zamboanga Peninsula, the Davao Occidental Tigers from the Davao Region, the GenSan Warriors from Soccsksargen, and the Basilan Steel from the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (which later became Bangsamoro).

Mid-season, the MPBL side of the Zamboanga Valientes was relaunched and became the Zamboanga Family's Brand Sardines following undisclosed management issues.

Introduction of divisions[edit]

Due to the much bigger size of the league, divisions were introduced to divide the teams into the North and South Divisions. Teams still play a single round-robin tournament as part of the regular season, but the playoff format was changed to accommodate the new divisions. The top eight teams from each division would advance to an expanded playoff tournament. Similar to the National Basketball Association (NBA), the champions from each division would face once another in what is dubbed the "National Finals".

Arenas[edit]

Expansion team
New arena
Team Arena Capacity
North Division
Bataan Risers Bataan People's Center 4,000
Bulacan Kuyas Baliwag Star Arena 5,000
Bulacan Capitol Gymnasium 5,000
Caloocan Supremos Caloocan Sports Complex 3,000
Makati Super Crunch Ynares Sports Arena 3,000
Mandaluyong El Tigre Jose Rizal University Gymnasium 1,000
Ynares Sports Arena 3,000
Manila Stars San Andres Sports Complex 3,000
Navotas Clutch Navotas Sports Complex 1,000
Pampanga Lanterns AUF Sports and Cultural Center 3,000
Pasay Voyagers Cuneta Astrodome 12,000
Pasig Pirates Pasig Sports Center 2,500
Quezon City Capitals Blue Eagle Gym 7,500
Henry Noble Gymnasium 980
JCSGO Seed Dome 1,000
San Juan Knights Filoil Flying V Centre 5,500
Valenzuela Classic Valenzuela Astrodome 3,000
South Division
Bacoor City Strikers Strike Gymansium 1,500
Basilan Steel Lamitan Capitol Gymansium 3,000
Batangas City Athletics Batangas City Sports Coliseum 4,000
Batangas State University Gymnasium 2,500
De La Salle Lipa SENTRUM 1,000
Cebu City Sharks USJ–R Basak Coliseum 4,000
Hoops Dome 6,500
Davao Occidental Tigers USeP Gymnasium and Cultural Center 6,000
Rizal Memorial Colleges Gymnasium 2,000
GenSan Warriors Lagao Gymnasium 6,000
Imus Bandera Imus City Sports Complex 1,000
Laguna Heroes Alonte Sports Arena 6,500
Marikina Shoemasters Marist School Gymnasium 2,500
Muntinlupa Cagers Muntinlupa Sports Center 3,000
Parañaque Patriots Olivarez College Gymnasium 3,500
Rizal Crusaders Ynares Center 7,400
Zamboanga Family's Brand Sardines Mayor Vitaliano D. Agan Coliseum 12,000
Neutral
Opening ceremonies Smart Araneta Coliseum 25,000
All-Star Game SM Mall of Asia Arena 15,000

Name changes[edit]

Coaching changes[edit]

Off-season
Team Outgoing coach Incoming coach
Bulacan Kuyas Chris Baluyot Britt Reroma
Navotas Clutch Elvis Tolentino Richie Ticzon
Parañaque Patriots Aric del Rosario Eric Samson
Mid-season
Team Outgoing coach Incoming coach
Basilan Steel Joseph Romarate Jerson Cabiltes
Cebu City Sharks Gilbert Castillo Norberto Manalili
Imus Bandera Jerry Codiñera
Mike Orquillas
Mike Orquillas
Noynoy Falcasantos
Laguna Heroes Alex Angeles Nath Gregorio
Mandaluyong El Tigre Mac Cuan Arlene Rodriguez
Muntinlupa Cagers Aldrin Morante
Aldin Ayo
Aldin Ayo
Jack Azcueta
Navotas Clutch Richie Ticzon Gabby Severino
Pampanga Lanterns Isaiah Duenas Aldrin Morante
Bacoor Strikers Budds Reyes Leo Isaac
Pasig Pirates James Machate Ronjay Enrile
Parañaque Patriots Eric Samson
Richie Melencio
Richie Melencio
Monel Kallos
Valenzuela Classic Chris Gavina
Eric Samson
Eric Samson
Juven Formacil
Zamboanga Valientes Ednie Morones Raymund Valenzona

Roster regulation changes[edit]

To ensure that the league remains balanced, a new rule was added so that teams were limited to only one Filipino-foreigner per roster, that player must also not be taller than 6'4" (193 cm). The player is classified as Filipino-foreigner if the player is a Filipino of foreign descent, regardless of being a Philippine passport holder. The new rule, however, caused some criticism from fans and players alike.[2][3]

Regular season[edit]

Format[edit]

The 26 teams played in a single round-robin format, playing one game against all other teams in the league for a total of 25 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 playoffs were expanded from eight teams to sixteen teams in this season. The top eight teams in each division advanced 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.

Standings[edit]

North Division[edit]

Pos Team Pld W L PCT GB Qualification
1 Bataan Risers 25 23 2 .920 Playoffs
2 Makati Super Crunch 25 21 4 .840 2
3 San Juan Knights 25 20 5 .800[a] 3
4 Manila Stars 25 20 5 .800[a] 3
5 Bulacan Kuyas 25 14 11 .560 9
6 Navotas Clutch 25 12 13 .480[b] 11
7 Quezon City Capitals 25 12 13 .480[b] 11
8 Caloocan Supremos 25 11 14 .440[c] 12
9 Pampanga Lanterns 25 11 14 .440[c] 12
10 Valenzuela Classic 25 10 15 .400 13
11 Mandaluyong El Tigre 25 8 17 .320[d] 15
12 Pasay Voyagers 25 8 17 .320[d] 15
13 Pasig Pirates 25 4 21 .160 19
Source: Standings
Rules for classification: 1) Win percentage; 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. ^ a b San Juan wins tiebreaker over Manila by head-to-head victory.
  2. ^ a b Navotas wins tiebreaker over Quezon City by head-to-head victory.
  3. ^ a b Caloocan wins tiebreaker over Pampanga by head-to-head victory.
  4. ^ a b Mandaluyong wins tiebreaker over Pasay by head-to-head victory.

South Division[edit]

Pos Team Pld W L PCT GB Qualification
1 Davao Occidental Tigers 25 20 5 .800 Playoffs
2 Batangas City Athletics 25 15 10 .600[a] 5
3 Muntinlupa Cagers 25 15 10 .600[a] 5
4 GenSan Warriors 25 14 11 .560 6
5 Bacoor City Strikers 25 13 12 .520 7
6 Zamboanga Family's Brand Sardines 25 12 13 .480 8
7 Imus Bandera 25 11 14 .440[b] 9
8 Cebu City Sharks 25 11 14 .440[b] 9
9 Laguna Heroes 25 10 15 .400 10
10 Parañaque Patriots 25 8 17 .320[c] 12
11 Marikina Shoemasters 25 8 17 .320[c] 12
12 Basilan Steel 25 7 18 .280[d] 13
13 Rizal Crusaders 25 7 18 .280[d] 13
Source: Standings
Rules for classification: 1) Win percentage; 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. ^ a b Batangas City wins tiebreaker over Muntinlupa by head-to-head victory.
  2. ^ a b Imus wins tiebreaker over Cebu City by head-to-head victory.
  3. ^ a b Parañaque wins tiebreaker over Marikina by head-to-head victory.
  4. ^ a b Basilan wins tiebreaker over Rizal by head-to-head victory.

Results[edit]

Teams BCR BAS BAN BTG BUL CAL CEB DVO GS IMS LAG MKT MDL MNL MAR MUN NAV PAM PAR PSY PSG QC RZL SJ VAL ZAM
Bacoor City 79–67 75–84 62–70 76–77 86–68 76–71 50–69 71–82 90–79 91–86 67–73 61–83 92–86 85–87 83–97 81–75 80–81 20–0[a] 90–86 84–59 90–87 74–63 63–74 88–81 63–72
Basilan 77–108 94–89 57–59 92–84 86–76 61–86 81–83 108–113 62–80 65–77 70–68 67–79 82–85 75–99 97–102 88–78 89–84 66–69 77–102 68–74 94–90 84–95 94–96 80–94
Bataan 81–67 63–49 94–81 76–69 91–88 62–58 95–85 77–70 72–70 109–65 82–89 81–64 67–63 84–78 87–74 102–73 77–60 105–87 101–68 88–74 61–67 59–55 76–74
Batangas City 54–63 81–69 66–72 70–71 92–86 96–93 54–61 72–65 61–57 79–80 62–52 82–71 98–101** 75–80 71–57 60–57 69–62 95–90 92–90* 85–78 66–78 104–93
Bulacan 86–82 54–70 88–85* 43–56 117–113* 87–70 94–99 91–102 62–84 79–72 66–86 89–98 67–65 77–58 73–70 102–96 61–55 80–61 76–94 75–84 72–75
Caloocan 70–71 68–82 84–75 74–69 76–62 57–79 83–77 68–95 94–91 79–72 55–59 78–62 87–94 85–63 91–81 79–81 92–80 77–81 90–87 67–72
Cebu City 64–71 66–70 61–90 77–75** 70–66 63–72 76–107 78–74 80–73 73–83 69–68 73–81 76–61 56–53 68–75 57–80 62–71 78–75 58–61
Davao Occidental 83–84 75–71 72–66 77–79 86–63 88–89 80–68 88–82 72–59 82–77 92–82 68–61 88–82 90–78 84–74 87–75 92–85 93–68
General Santos 79–73 69–66 71–86 93–89 57–63 81–88 60–61 80–73 72–64 80–76 64–70 116–72 72–77 65–58 76–86 72–79 78–69
Imus 67–65 79–76 107–90 68–69 72–71 74–80 79–78 88–76 95–77 75–79 117–87 71–80 73–85 50–77 81–71 78–83
Laguna 65–76 76–72 74–68 63–61 95–94 74–61 58–75 76–52 72–76 83–75 80–85 79–80 56–81 74–66 80–86
Makati 79–63 99–98 90–71 52–50 96–87 69–67 75–50 67–59 76–71 102–78 66–55 78–73 67–64 77–65
Mandaluyong 73–92 62–76 74–86 59–55 85–90 77–75 70–74 98–55 76–86 65–51 60–76 64–78 71–61
Manila 91–89 100–86 92–96 100–75 98–88 115–85 111–98 76–71 71–70 80–84* 89–84 60–59
Marikina 76–85 80–76 76–91 68–71 71–69 71–67 78–74 69–75 65–77 99–102** 80–87
Muntinlupa 101–95 80–87 77–76 80–67 98–92* 97–100* 84–80 77–71 90–86 85–69
Navotas 88–89 90–83 83–75 97–70 120–105 87–81 74–81 72–70 78–89
Pampanga 82–79 86–83 67–69 97–94 76–85 70–93 82–90 87–85
Parañaque 73–69 87–69 64–65 59–47 77–87 76–73 68–58
Pasay 84–71 83–81 87–81 66–89 80–93 74–91
Pasig 98–95 81–78 60–87 88–95 78–92
Quezon City 81–79 50–68 76–72 109–81
Rizal 85–77 74–76 77–73
San Juan 102–83 80–59
Valenzuela 71–79
Zamboanga
Source: Schedule
Legend: Blue = left column team win; Red = top row team win.
Matches with lighter background shading were decided after overtime.
Notes:
  1. ^ Originally played on November 15, the game originally was an 82–81 Parañaque win. Due to a scoring error, the game would have been replayed at 81–81 in overtime, but Parañaque did not show up during the replay. Thus, the win was awarded to Bacoor City by forfeit.[4]

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[edit]

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)
National Finals
(Best-of-5)
            
N1 Bataan 2
N8 Caloocan 0
N1 Bataan 1
N4 Manila 2
N4 Manila 2
N5 Bulacan 0
N4 Manila 1
North Division
N3 San Juan 2
N2 Makati 0
N7 Quezon City 2
N7 Quezon City 0
N3 San Juan 2
N3 San Juan 2
N6 Navotas 0
N3 San Juan 3
S1 Davao Occidental 2
S1 Davao Occidental 2
S8 Cebu City 0
S1 Davao Occidental 2
S5 Bacoor City 0
S4 General Santos 0
S5 Bacoor City 2
S1 Davao Occidental 2
South Division
S2 Batangas City 1
S2 Batangas City 2
S7 Imus 1
S2 Batangas City 2
S6 Zamboanga 1
S3 Muntinlupa 1
S6 Zamboanga 2

First Round[edit]

In the First Round, the first- and second-seeded teams host games 1 and 3 of its respective division, while the third- and fourth-seeded teams host game 2.

North Division First Round[edit]

Team 1 Series Team 2 Game 1 Game 2 Game 3
(1) Bataan Risers 2–0 (8) Caloocan Supremos 91–71 83–71
(2) Makati Super Crunch 0–2 (7) Quezon City Capitals 77–88 74–77
(3) San Juan Knights 2–0 (6) Navotas Clutch 81–76 75–69
(4) Manila Stars 2–0 (5) Bulacan Kuyas 69–65 92–83

South Division First Round[edit]

Team 1 Series Team 2 Game 1 Game 2 Game 3
(1) Davao Occidental Tigers 2–0 (8) Cebu City Sharks 82–67 76–69
(2) Batangas City Athletics 2–1 (7) Imus Bandera 77–69 69–75 92–65
(3) Muntinlupa Cagers 1–2 (6) Zamboanga Family's Brand Sardines 89–78 73–84 83–87
(4) General Santos Warriors 0–2 (5) Bacoor Strikers 80–90 78–92

Division Semifinals[edit]

In the Division Semifinals, the highest seeded team hosts games 1 and 3, while the second-highest seeded team hosts game 2.

North Division Semifinals[edit]

Team 1 Series Team 2 Game 1 Game 2 Game 3
(1) Bataan Risers 1–2 (4) Manila Stars 73–72 76–80 51-56
(3) San Juan Knights 2–0 (7) Quezon City Capitals 94–86 106–81

South Division Semifinals[edit]

Due to Davao Occidental advancing after game 2, Batangas City instead hosted game 3.

Team 1 Series Team 2 Game 1 Game 2 Game 3
(1) Davao Occidental Tigers 2–0 (5) Bacoor Strikers 79–71 87–67
(2) Batangas City Athletics 2–1 (6) Zamboanga Family's Brand Sardines 58–72 67–57 80–72

Division Finals[edit]

In the Division Finals, the higher-seeded team hosts games 1 and 3 in its respective division, while the lower-seeded team hosts game 2.

North Division Finals[edit]

Team 1 Series Team 2 Game 1 Game 2 Game 3
(3) San Juan Knights 2–1 (4) Manila Stars 88–91 92–90 83–74

South Division Finals[edit]

Team 1 Series Team 2 Game 1 Game 2 Game 3
(1) Davao Occidental Tigers 2–1 (2) Batangas City Athletics 66–48 74–76 66–51

MPBL Finals[edit]

In the MPBL Finals, the higher-seeded team hosts games 1, 2, and 5, while the lower-seeded team hosts games 3 and 4.

Both teams finished the season 20–5, but the Davao Occidental Tigers held the homecourt advantage for the Finals, as they have defeated San Juan in their regular season matchup, but the San Juan Knights eventually won the championship in 5 games.

Team 1 Series Team 2 Game 1 Game 2 Game 3 Game 4 Game 5
(S1) Davao Occidental Tigers 2–3 (N3) San Juan Knights 74–84 67–60 62–67 77–66 86–87

All-Star Game[edit]

The first ever MPBL All-Star Game took place on March 2, 2019 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena where the South All-Stars prevailed over the North All-Stars, 109–84. Jeff Viernes of the Batangas City Athletics was named the first ever MPBL All-Star MVP.[5]

Lineups[edit]

Game[edit]

March 2, 2019
North All-Stars 84–109 South All-Stars
Scoring by quarter: 21–21, 23–20, 20–38, 20–30
Pts: Chris Bitoon 11 Pts: Jeff Viernes 19

Pre-game events[edit]

Before the game itself, multiple pre-game events were held. These include the Executives' Game, 2-Ball Challenge, Three-Point Shootout, and Slam Dunk Competition. The champions of these events are as follows:

Statistics[edit]

Individual statistic leaders[edit]

Category Player Team Statistic
Points per game Almond Vosotros Caloocan Supremos 20.33
Total Rebounds per game JR Taganas Bulacan Kuyas 12.64
Assists per game Paolo Hubalde Valenzuela Classic 8.48
Steals per game Paolo Hubalde Valenzuela Classic 2.8
Blocks per game Aris Dionisio Manila Stars 2.17
Turnovers per game Bonbon Custodio Davao Occidental Tigers 4.4
Fouls per game Chad Alonzo Bacoor City Strikers 3.57
Minutes per game Paolo Castro Parañaque Patriots 33.58
FG% Art Patrick Aquino San Juan Knights 59.0%
FT% Eric Dela Cuesta Rizal Crusaders 91.0%
3FG% Nico Abatayo Batangas City Athletics 67.0%
Double-doubles Harold Miguel Arboleda Parañaque Patriots 7
Triple-doubles Gab Banal Bacoor Strikers 3

Individual game highs[edit]

Category Player Team Statistic
Points Leomer Losentes GenSan Warriors 41
Rebounds JR Taganas Bulacan Kuyas 26
Assists Allan Mangahas Muntinlupa Cagers 17
Steals Warren Ybanez Marikina Shoemasters 8
Blocks Eduardo Doroteo Pasig Pirates 7
Three-pointers Yves Sazon Marikina Shoemasters 7

Awards[edit]

Most of the league's individual awards made their debut this season, which were given out before game 4 of the 2019 National Finals at the Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.[6] The Finals Most Valuable Player and Coach of the Year were given out at the conclusion of the series.

Awards Winner(s) Team Ref.
Most Valuable Player Gab Banal Bacoor City Strikers [7]
Finals Most Valuable Player Mike Ayonayon San Juan Knights
Defensive Player of the Year Aris Dionisio Manila Stars
Coach of the Year Randy Alcantara San Juan Knights
Executive of the Year Oscar Malapitan Caloocan Supremos
Sportsmanship Award JR Taganas Bulacan Kuyas
All-MPBL First Team Mark Yee Davao Occidental Tigers
Gab Banal Bacoor City Strikers
Aris Dionisio Manila Stars
Chris Bitoon Manila Stars
Allan Mangahas Muntinlupa Cagers
All-MPBL Second Team John Wilson San Juan Knights
Michael Mabulac Laguna Heroes
Jai Reyes Navotas Clutch
Harold Arboleda Zamboanga Valientes
Leo Najorda Davao Occidental Tigers
Players of the week
Week Player Stat Line Against Ref.
June 12−16, 2018 Reed Juntilla (Zamboanga Valientes) 30 Points
6 Rebounds
5 Assists
1 Steal
Laguna Heroes [8]
June 19−23, 2018 Christopher Sumalinog (Bacoor City Strikers) 22 Points
7 Rebounds
1 Assist
1 Steal
2 Blocks
Cebu City Sharks [9]
June 26–30, 2018 Jai Reyes (Laguna Heroes) 21 Points
11 Rebounds
5 Assists
1 Steal
Pasig Pirates [10]
July 3–6, 2018 Bobby Ray Parks Jr. (Mandaluyong El Tigre) 20 Points
11 Rebounds
10 Assists
7 Steals
Pasig Pirates
July 10–12, 2018 Mar Villahermosa (Caloocan Supremos) 29 Points
3 Rebounds
2 Assists
5 Steals
Rizal Crusaders
July 16–21, 2018 Michael Juico (Pampanga Lanterns) 35 Points
7 Rebounds
3 Assists
3 Steals
Parañaque Patriots
July 31 – August 4, 2018 Mikee Reyes (Bacoor City Strikers) 21 Points
10 Rebounds
15 Assists
2 Steals
Caloocan Supremos
August 7–11, 2018 Reed Juntilla (Zamboanga Valientes) 29 Points
11 Rebounds
4 Assists
Navotas Clutch
August 14–16, 2018 Gab Banal (Bacoor Strikers) 25 Points
12 Rebounds
6 Assists
Laguna Heroes
August 21–25, 2018 Allan Mangahas (Muntinlupa Cagers) 21 Points
4 Rebounds
5 Assists
2 Blocks
San Juan Knights
August 28 – September 1, 2018 Billy Ray Robles (Davao Occidental Tigers) 21 Points
10 Rebounds
9/16 Field Goals
Valenzuela Idol Cheesedogs
September 4–8, 2018 Allan Mangahas (Muntinlupa Cagers) 22 Points
12 Rebounds
12 Assists
Bacoor City Strikers
September 11–13, 2018 Aris Dionisio (Manila Stars) 24 Points
10 Rebounds
2 Assists
2 Steals
2 Blocks
Caloocan Longrich
September 19–23, 2018 Mark Yee (Davao Occidental Tigers) 16 Points
24 Rebounds
6 Assists
Pasay Voyagers
September 25–29, 2018 Mark Yee (Davao Occidental Tigers) 29 Points
11 Rebounds
3 Assists
1 Steal
1 Block
Caloocan Supremos
October 2–6, 2018 Gab Banal (Bacoor Strikers) 30 Points
10 Rebounds
4 Assists
Navotas Clutch
October 9–13, 2018 Jan Jamon (Pasay Voyagers) 27 Points
5 Rebounds
2 Assists
Imus Bandera [11]
October 16–20, 2018 Bobby Balucanag (Pasay Voyagers) 26 Points
13 Rebounds
2 Assists
1 Steal
1 Block
Quezon City Capitals [12]
October 22–27, 2018 Paolo Hubalde (Valenzuela Idol Cheesedogs) 25 Points
10 Rebounds
6 Assists
Cebu City Sharks
October 30 – November 3, 2018 Jeff Viernes (Batangas City Athletics) 21 Points
5 Rebounds
4 Assists
1 Steal
San Juan Knights
January 3–5, 2019 Renato Ular (Marikina Shoemasters) 19 Points
15 Rebounds
2 Blocks
Bacoor Strikers
January 7–12, 2019 Mac Cardona (San Juan Knights) 25 Points
5 Rebounds
2 Assists
2 Blocks
Basilan Steel
February 11–16, 2019 Mark Andaya (Pasig Pirates) 16 Points
12 Rebounds
2 Assists
3 Blocks
Pampanga Lanterns

Notable events[edit]

Events[edit]

  • March 11, 2019 – The Bacoor City–Parañaque replay was forfeited in Bacoor City's favor, marking the first time in which a game was forfeited in any manner.

Media[edit]

This season marked the second of three years of ABS-CBN's broadcasting rights of the league, as games were aired on S+A channel. In addition, Fox Sports Philippines started broadcasting games this season. The league also began streaming all of its games on its official Facebook page.

References[edit]

  1. ^ Joble, Rey (October 18, 2018). "FOX Sports to air monday MPBL games starting November 5". Fox Sports Philippines. Archived from the original on November 21, 2018. Retrieved October 19, 2018.
  2. ^ "MPBL takes a hit for 'racist' rule limiting teams to only one Fil-foreign player". Spin.ph. Retrieved August 3, 2023.
  3. ^ "Tratter: MPBL rule on Fil-foreigners taking away opportunity from players". ESPN.com. May 17, 2018. Retrieved August 3, 2023.
  4. ^ Joble, Rey (March 11, 2019). "Bacoor secures No.5 seat in south after winning via forfeiture over Paranaque". Fox Sports Philippines. Retrieved March 11, 2019.[permanent dead link]
  5. ^ "South tops North as Viernes, Anderson shine in MPBL All-Stars". Rappler. March 3, 2019. Retrieved March 16, 2019.
  6. ^ Joble, Rey (April 18, 2019). "Ask the fans | Who makes your list of awardees for the MPBL Datu Cup?". Fox Sports Philippines. Archived from the original on April 19, 2019. Retrieved April 19, 2019.
  7. ^ Saldajeno, Ivan Stewart (April 22, 2019). "Gab Banal wins MPBL MVP plum". Philippine News Agency. Retrieved June 19, 2020.
  8. ^ Isaga, JR (June 20, 2018). "MPBL week 1: Juntilla bags Player of the Week, Sazon wows in opener". Rappler. Retrieved June 20, 2018.
  9. ^ Bolo, Lance (June 27, 2018). "Best Player of the Week (June 19–23), Christopher Sumalinog of Bacoor City Strikers, He registered 22 points, 7 rebounds, 1 steal and 2 blocks against Cebu City Sharks - Casino Ethyl Alcohol last week". Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League. Retrieved June 27, 2018.
  10. ^ Bolo, Lance (July 2, 2018). "Player of the Week (June 26–30): JAI REYES, Nagtala ng double-double performance (21pts, 11rebs, 5ast, 1stl) si Jai Reyes ng Laguna Krah Heroes upang makuha ang unang panalo ng kanyang koponan kontra sa home team Pasig Pirates nung nakaraang June 26". Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League. Retrieved July 2, 2018.
  11. ^ "Player of the Week: (Oct. 9-13): JAN JAMON (Pasay Voyagers)". Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League Facebook Page. Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League. October 15, 2018. Retrieved October 19, 2018.
  12. ^ "Player of the Week (Oct. 16-20): BOBBY BALUCANAG (Pasay Voyagers)". October 22, 2018. Retrieved October 27, 2018.