2018 MPBL season

2018–19 MPBL season
2018–19 MPBL season
League	Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League
Duration	January 25, 2018 – April 25, 2019
Number of teams	26
TV partner(s)	ABS-CBN Sports (S+A Channel 23 & HD Channel 166)
Rajah Cup champions	Batangas City Athletics
Rajah Cup runners-up	Muntinlupa Cagers
Datu Cup champions	San Juan Knights
Datu Cup runners-up	Davao Occidental Tigers
Seasons
	← Inaugural season 2019–20 →

The 2018–19 MPBL season is the inaugural season of the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League. The league will feature five conferences — the Rajah Cup, Datu Cup, Lakan Cup, Mumbaki Cup, and the Urduja Cup.^[1] As the season opened on the 25th day of January in the year 2018, the inaugural conference billed as the Anta–Rajah Cup started with 10 teams competing for the inaugural championship.

Teams

Team	Location	Coach	Captain
Bataan Risers	Bataan	Xavier "Denden" Enriquez
Batangas City Athletics	Batangas	Michael Tan
Bulacan Kuyas	Bulacan	Chris Baluyot
Caloocan Supremos	Caloocan, Metro Manila	John Kallos
Imus Bandera	Imus, Cavite	Yuyon Ricafort
Muntinlupa Cagers	Muntinlupa, Metro Manila	Aldrin Morante
Navotas Clutch	Navotas, Metro Manila	Elvis Tolentino
Parañaque Patriots	Parañaque, Metro Manila	Aric del Rosario^[2]	Jemaal Vizcarra
Quezon City Capitals	Quezon City, Metro Manila	Vis Valencia	PeeJay Barua
Valenzuela Classic	Valenzuela, Metro Manila	Chris Gavina^[3]

Notable Events

On January 25, 2018, the MPBL opened its inaugural season at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
On April 3, 2018, the seventh-seeded Parañaque Patriots earned its biggest upset win against the second-seeded Bulacan Kuyas, 77–70, during their quarterfinals matchup at the Bulacan Capitol Gymnasium. The loss dealt the Kuyas its first loss in their home soil, after a perfect 6–0 win-loss run in their homecourt.
On April 19, the Batangas City Athletics defeated the Muntinlupa Cagers, 68–66, in Game 4 of the Rajah Cup Finals, also to win the series, 3–1, to be crowned as the league's inaugural champions.
On March 2, 2019, the league held its first ever 2019 MPBL All-Star Game at the Mall of Asia Arena where the Southern All-Stars prevailed over the Northern All-Stars, 109–84. Jeff Viernes of the Batangas City Athletics was named as the first ever MPBL All-Star Game MVP.^[4]

Rajah Cup

Opening Ceremonies

The muses for the participating teams are as follows:

Team	Muse
Bataan Defenders	Carla Valderrama
Batangas Tanduay Athletics	Queenie Espeleta
Bulacan Kuyas	Lady Justerinnie Santos
Caloocan Supremos
Imus Bandera
Muntinlupa Cagers
Navotas Clutch	Krystal Mendiola
Parañaque Patriots	Wynwyn Marquez
Quezon City Capitals	Kar Sison and Yassi Coo
Valenzuela Classics	Alexandra Strella April Gustilo

Standings

Pos	Team v t e	Pld	W	L	PCT	GB	Qualification
1	Batangas City Athletics	9	8	1	.889	—	Playoffs
2	Bulacan Kuyas	9	6	3	.667^[a]	2
3	Muntinlupa Cagers	9	6	3	.667^[a]	2
4	Valenzuela Classic	9	6	3	.667^[a]	2
5	Quezon City Capitals	9	5	4	.556^[b]	3
6	Navotas Clutch	9	5	4	.556^[b]	3
7	Parañaque Patriots	9	4	5	.444	4
8	Bataan Defenders	9	2	7	.222^[c]	6
9	Imus Bandera	9	2	7	.222^[c]	6
10	Caloocan Supremos	9	1	8	.111	7

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:

^ ^a ^b ^c Bulacan (+5), Muntinlupa (+1), Valenzuela (-6) are ranked by head-to-head point differential.
^ ^a ^b Quezon City wins tiebreaker over Navotas by head-to-head victory.
^ ^a ^b Bataan wins tiebreaker over Imus by head-to-head victory.

Playoffs

Quarterfinals (Best-of-3)			Semifinals (Best-of-3)			Finals (Best-of-5)

1	Batangas City	2

8	Bataan	0
			1	Batangas City	2

			4	Valenzuela	0
4	Valenzuela	2

5	Quezon City	1
						1	Batangas City	3

						3	Muntinlupa	1
2	Bulacan	1

7	Parañaque	2
			7	Parañaque	1

			3	Muntinlupa	2
3	Muntinlupa	2

6	Navotas	0

Finals: Batangas City def. Muntinlupa, 3 games to 1
- Finals MVP: Val Acuña

Datu Cup

Opening Ceremonies

The muses for the participating teams are as follows:

Team	Muse	Ref
Bacoor Strikers	Sophia Chayeli Cabal-Revilla
Basilan Steel	Maxine Medina	^[5]^[6]
Bataan Risers	Geraldine Roman
Batangas City Athletics	Princess Razene Almacen
Bulacan Kuyas	Barbie Imperial
Caloocan Supremos	Jane Miniano
Cebu City Sharks	Kaye Abad-Castillo
Davao Occidental Tigers	Ariella Arida
General Santos Warriors	Bianca Umali
Imus Bandera	Laura Pumarada
Laguna Heroes	Jenn Lamaitre
Makati Skyscrapers	Michele Gumabao
Mandaluyong El Tigre	Ameera Johara and Maureen Montagne
Manila Stars	Angelia Ong
Marikina Shoemasters	Darlene Hipolito and Sinon Loresca
Muntinlupa Cagers	Zahra Bianca Saldua
Navotas Clutch	Josephine Araullo
Pampanga Lanterns	Ann Carlisle Castro	^[7]
Parañaque Patriots	Noelle Fuentes–Uy
Pasay Voyagers	Regine Angeles
Pasig Pirates	Merichelle Chavez	^[8]
Quezon City Capitals	Deanne Gonzales
Rizal Crusaders	Lamba Mendoza
San Juan Knights	Rachel Peters
Valenzuela Classic	Kim De Guzman
Zamboanga Valientes	Empress Schuck	^[9]

Standings

Groupings can be seen here:^[10]

Pos	Team v t e	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:

^ ^a ^b San Juan wins tiebreaker over Manila by head-to-head victory.
^ ^a ^b Navotas wins tiebreaker over Quezon City by head-to-head victory.
^ ^a ^b Caloocan wins tiebreaker over Pampanga by head-to-head victory.
^ ^a ^b Mandaluyong wins tiebreaker over Pasay by head-to-head victory.

Pos	Team v t e	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:

^ ^a ^b Batangas City wins tiebreaker over Muntinlupa by head-to-head victory.
^ ^a ^b Imus wins tiebreaker over Cebu City by head-to-head victory.
^ ^a ^b Parañaque wins tiebreaker over Marikina by head-to-head victory.
^ ^a ^b Basilan wins tiebreaker over Rizal by head-to-head victory.

Playoffs

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

Finals: San Juan def. Davao Occidental, 3 games to 2
- Finals MVP: Mike Ayonayon

Officials

Snow Badua resigned before MPBL starts
Kenneth Duremdes (Commissioner)

References

^ "BUZZER BEATER: All about the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League". Panay News. 1 September 2017. Retrieved 5 April 2018.
^ Joble, Rey (January 25, 2018). "Patriots debut versus Caloocan Supremos in MPBL opening". Business World. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
^ Ramos, Gerry (January 22, 2018). "Chris Gavina back coaching in MPBL: 'I can't stay away from the game too long'". Spin.ph. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
^ "South tops North as Viernes, Anderson shine in MPBL All-Stars". Rappler. 3 March 2019. Retrieved 16 March 2019.
^ "Basilan Steel (@BasilanSteel) | Twitter". twitter.com. Retrieved 2018-06-10.
^ "Beauty queen Maxine Medina is muse of Basilan Steel - Fox Sports PH". Fox Sports PH. 2018-06-10. Retrieved 2018-06-10.
^ Joble, Rey (June 6, 2018). "Reigning Mutya Ning Kapampangan is Pampanga's muse for MPBL". FoxSports. Retrieved June 6, 2018.
^ Joble, Rey (June 7, 2018). "Meet Pasig's lovely muse for MPBL opener". FoxSports. Retrieved June 7, 2018.
^ Joble, Rey (June 7, 2018). "Zamboanga Valientes tap Empress Schuck as muse for MPBL opener". FoxSports. Retrieved June 7, 2018.
^ Joble, Rey. "Here's how the MPBL divides 26 teams this season". Fox Sports PH. Retrieved 28 May 2018.

[table_hth_BUL0.32472377239015-5] Bulacan (+5), Muntinlupa (+1), Valenzuela (-6) are ranked by head-to-head point differential.

[table_hth_QC0.32472377239015-6] Quezon City wins tiebreaker over Navotas by head-to-head victory.

[table_hth_BAN0.32472377239015-7] Bataan wins tiebreaker over Imus by head-to-head victory.

[table_hth_SJ0.97157172577994-14] San Juan wins tiebreaker over Manila by head-to-head victory.

[table_hth_NAV0.97157172577994-15] Navotas wins tiebreaker over Quezon City by head-to-head victory.

[table_hth_CAL0.97157172577994-16] Caloocan wins tiebreaker over Pampanga by head-to-head victory.

[table_hth_MDL0.97157172577994-17] Mandaluyong wins tiebreaker over Pasay by head-to-head victory.

[table_hth_BTG0.028454003868836-18] Batangas City wins tiebreaker over Muntinlupa by head-to-head victory.

[table_hth_IMS0.028454003868836-19] Imus wins tiebreaker over Cebu City by head-to-head victory.

[table_hth_PAR0.028454003868836-20] Parañaque wins tiebreaker over Marikina by head-to-head victory.

[table_hth_BAS0.028454003868836-21] Basilan wins tiebreaker over Rizal by head-to-head victory.

[1] "BUZZER BEATER: All about the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League". Panay News. 1 September 2017. Retrieved 5 April 2018.

[2] Joble, Rey (January 25, 2018). "Patriots debut versus Caloocan Supremos in MPBL opening". Business World. Retrieved January 25, 2018.

[3] Ramos, Gerry (January 22, 2018). "Chris Gavina back coaching in MPBL: 'I can't stay away from the game too long'". Spin.ph. Retrieved January 25, 2018.

[4] "South tops North as Viernes, Anderson shine in MPBL All-Stars". Rappler. 3 March 2019. Retrieved 16 March 2019.

[8] "Basilan Steel (@BasilanSteel) | Twitter". twitter.com. Retrieved 2018-06-10.

[9] "Beauty queen Maxine Medina is muse of Basilan Steel - Fox Sports PH". Fox Sports PH. 2018-06-10. Retrieved 2018-06-10.

[10] Joble, Rey (June 6, 2018). "Reigning Mutya Ning Kapampangan is Pampanga's muse for MPBL". FoxSports. Retrieved June 6, 2018.

[11] Joble, Rey (June 7, 2018). "Meet Pasig's lovely muse for MPBL opener". FoxSports. Retrieved June 7, 2018.

[12] Joble, Rey (June 7, 2018). "Zamboanga Valientes tap Empress Schuck as muse for MPBL opener". FoxSports. Retrieved June 7, 2018.

[13] Joble, Rey. "Here's how the MPBL divides 26 teams this season". Fox Sports PH. Retrieved 28 May 2018.

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v t e Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League
2024 MPBL season Founder: Manny Pacquiao COO: Zaldy Realubit Commissioner: Kenneth Duremdes
North Division	Abra Weavers Bataan Risers Bulacan Kuyas Caloocan Batang Kankaloo Manila Batang Sampaloc Marikina Shoemasters Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards Pampanga Giant Lanterns Pangasinan Heatwaves Pasay Voyagers Quezon City Toda Aksyon Rizal Golden Coolers San Juan Knights Valenzuela Classic
South Division	Bacolod City of Smiles Batangas City Tanduay Rum Masters Bicolandia Oragons Biñan Tatak Gel Davao Occidental Tigers Iloilo United Royals Imus Agimat Mindoro Tamaraws Muntinlupa Cagers Negros Muscovados Parañaque Patriots Quezon Huskers Sarangani Marlins South Cotabato Warriors Zamboanga Master Sardines
Former teams	Navotas Uni-Pak Sardines (2018–2020) Mandaluyong El Tigre (2018–2019) Basilan Steel (2018–2020) Cebu Casino Ethyl Alcohol (2018–2020) Bacoor City Strikers (2018–2023) Makati OKBet Kings (2018–2023) Pasig City MCW Sports (2018–2023)
History	Timeline Seasons Champions Records All-time standings
Others	Awards Finals MVP MVP DPOY Venues
Category