The 2019–20 MPBL season, also known as the MPBL Lakan Season or the Chooks-to-Go MPBL Lakan Season for sponsorship reasons, was the third season of the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League. It was also the last season of the league's amateur era, as they would turn professional in December 2021. The regular season began June 12, 2019 with the opening ceremonies at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay, and ended on February 12, 2020. The 2020 MPBL All-Star Game was also held at the same venue on February 13, 2020. The playoffs then began on February 15, 2020.

This season was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines as the season had to be suspended on March 11, 2020, midway through the division finals. Nearly one year later, the playoffs resumed on March 10, 2021 with a bubble in the Subic Bay Gymnasium in Subic, Zambales before finally ending on March 21, 2021 when the Davao Occidental Tigers defeated the defending champion San Juan Knights in four games in the 2021 MPBL finals.

This season featured 31 teams, which is currently the biggest the league has gotten, with six expansion teams joining and one team departing from the league.

Teams

Expansion

This season saw six expansion teams make their debut in the league. The Nueva Ecija MiGuard join from Central Luzon, while the Mindoro Tamaraws and Bicol Volcanoes became the first teams based in Mimaropa and the Bicol Region, respectively. Western Visayas is the only region with two expansion teams in the Bacolod Master Sardines and Iloilo United Royals. The last expansion team was the Soccsksargen Marlins representing the Soccsksargen region.

Despite the departure of the Mandaluyong El Tigre, which marked the first time a team didn't return to compete, the number of participating teams increased from 26 to 31, currently the most for a single season in league history.

Nueva Ecija was allocated to the North Division, with the other five expansion teams being placed in the South Division. To balance the divisions, the Marikina Shoemasters, Parañaque Patriots, and Rizal Golden Coolers moved to the North Division.

Arenas

Expansion team
Team switched divisions
New arena
TeamArenaCapacity
North Division
Bataan RisersBataan People's Center4,000
Bulacan KuyasBulacan Capitol Gymnasium5,000
Baliwag Star Arena5,000
Malolos Sports and Convention Center5,000
Caloocan SupremosCaloocan Sports Complex3,000
Makati Super CrunchMakati Coliseum12,000
Manila StarsSan Andres Sports Complex3,000
Marikina ShoemastersMarist School Gymnasium2,500
Marikina Sports Center7,000
Navotas Uni-Pak SardinesNavotas Sports Complex1,000
Nueva Ecija Rice VanguardsNo home games
Pampanga Giant LanternsAUF Sports and Cultural Center3,000
Parañaque PatriotsOlivarez College Gymnasium3,500
Pasay VoyagersCuneta Astrodome12,000
Pasig Sta. Lucia RealtorsPasig Sports Center2,500
Quezon City CapitalsBlue Eagle Gym7,500
JCSGO Seed Dome1,000
Rizal Golden CoolersYnares Center7,400
San Juan KnightsFiloil Flying V Centre5,500
Val City Carga Backload SolutionValenzuela Astrodome3,000
South Division
Bacolod Master SardinesLa Salle Coliseum8,000
Bacoor City StrikersStrike Gymansium1,500
Basilan SteelLamitan Capitol Gymansium3,000
Batangas City AthleticsBatangas City Sports Coliseum4,000
Batangas State University Gymnasium2,500
Bicol VolcanoesIbalong Centrum for Recreation8,000
Albay Astrodome8,000
Biñan City Luxxe WhiteAlonte Sports Arena6,500
Santa Rosa Sports Complex5,700
Cebu Casino Ethyl AlcoholHoops Dome6,500
Aznar Coliseum7,000
Davao Occidental TigersRizal Memorial Colleges Gymnasium2,000
Davao City Recreation Center2,500
USeP Gymnasium and Cultural Center6,000
RDR GymnasiumN/A
GenSan WarriorsLagao Gymnasium6,000
Iloilo United RoyalsUniversity of San Agustin Gymnasium5,000
Passi City Arena2,000
Imus BanderaImus City Sports Complex1,000
Mindoro TamarawsNo home games
Muntinlupa CagersMuntinlupa Sports Center3,000
Sarangani MarlinsSarangani Capitol GymnasiumN/A
Zamboanga Family's Brand SardinesMayor Vitaliano D. Agan Coliseum12,000
Neutral
Opening ceremoniesSM Mall of Asia Arena15,000
All-Star GameSM Mall of Asia Arena15,000
International InvasionHamdan Sports Complex15,000
Winsport ArenaN/A
Mindanao InvasionEl Salvador City GymnasiumN/A
2020–21 MPBL playoffsSubic Bay GymnasiumN/A1

Notes

  1. ^ During the latter part of the 2020–21 MPBL playoffs, all playoff games at the Subic Bay Gymnasium were held behind closed doors due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines.

Name changes

  • The Cebu City Sharks changed their team name to Cebu Sharks before the start of the season, then later as Cebu Casino Ethyl Alcohol in October 2019
  • The Imus Bandera changed their team name to Imus Khaleb Shawarma before the start of the season, then later as Imus Bandera-Luxxe Slim in December 2019
  • The Laguna Heroes changed their team name to Biñan City Krah Heroes before the start of the season, then later as Biñan City Luxxe White in November 2019
  • The Navotas Clutch changed their team name to Navotas Uni-Pak Sardines in June 2019
  • The Valenzuela Classic changed their team name to Valenzuela SPVTOP Marketplace in June 2019, then later as Val City-Carga Backload Solution in November 2019
  • The Nueva Ecija MiGuard changed their team name to Nueva Ecija ForestLake in August 2019, then later as Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards in October 2019
  • The Soccsksargen Marlins-Armor On changed their team name to Sarangani Marlins in November 2019

Coaching changes

Off-season
TeamOutgoing coachIncoming coach
Bataan RisersJojo LastimosaJong Uichico
Batangas City AthleticsMac TanGoldwyn Monteverde
Bacoor StrikersLeo IssacChris Gavina
Imus Khaleb ShawarmaMike OrquillasBudds Reyes
Manila StarsPhilip CezarTino Pinat
Muntinlupa CagersJack AzcuetaRichie Melencio
Parañaque PatriotsMonel KallosMichael Saguiguit
Pasay VoyagersCholo MartinMarlon Martin
Pasig Sta. Lucia RealtorsRonjay EnrileBong Dela Cruz
Rizal Golden CoolersBraulio Lim Jr.Jayvee Gayoso
Valenzuela SPVTOP MarketplaceJuven FormacilGerry Esplana
Mid-season
TeamOutgoing coachIncoming coach
1Bataan RisersJong UichicoJonas Villanueva
Batangas City AthleticsGoldwyn MonteverdeWoody Co
Binan City Luxxe WhiteAlex AngelesDennis Miranda
Bulacan KuyasBritt ReromaKerwin McCoy
Cebu Casino Ethyl AlcoholTiting ManaliliNoynoy Falcasantos
Imus Bandera - Luxxe SlimBuddz Reyes Mac Cuan Eugene TanMac Cuan Eugene Tan Raymund Valenzona
GenSan WarriorsJesus Ramon PidoRich Alvarez
Makati Super CrunchPocholo VillanuevaBeaujing Acot
Mindoro TamarawsBengie TeodoroJustin Tan
Muntinlupa CagersRichie Melencio Dave MoraldeDave Moralde Bonnie Garcia
Nueva Ecija Rice VanguardsEric Gascon Alvin GreyAlvin Grey Charles Tiu
Quezon City CapitalsVis ValenciaChristian Coronel
Zamboanga Family's Brand SardinesRaymund Valenzona Bai CristobalBai Cristobal Britt Reroma
Sarangani MarlinsBiboy Simon Bong MelocotonBong Melocoton Manuel Torralba
Val City - Carga Backload SolutionGerry EsplanaRonjay Enrile

Roster regulation changes

After receiving criticism for its previous set of changes, the player limits were increased to allow more players to join the league.

  • The Filipino-foreigner player limit was increased from one to two, with the height limit of 6'4" remaining intact. However, only one of them can play at a time.
  • The ex-professional player limit was increased from five to seven. However, only five of them can play at a time.

Opening ceremony

The opening ceremony took place on June 12, 2019 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay. Some teams had a muse to represent the team, who are as follows:

TeamMuse
Basilan SteelSharifa Akeel
Bataan RisersRolyn Angela Tungol
Batangas City AthleticsJeanette Reyes
Davao Occidental TigersVickie Rushton
GenSan WarriorsPamela Sue
Manila StarsAhtisa Manalo
Marikina ShoemastersSophie Albert
Mindoro TamarawsPrincess Legaspi
Navotas ClutchAnne Tenorio
Pampanga Giant LanternsZara Carbonell
Parañaque PatriotsNikka Castro
Pasay VoyagersRachel May Libres
Pasig Sta. Lucia RealtorsMikaela Gabrielle Bañares
Quezon City CapitalsSamantha Bernardo
Rizal Golden CoolersPatricia Reyes
San Juan KnightsNadine Lustre
Valenzuela ClassicAbby Dizor
Zamboanga Family's Brand SardinesJoana Tan-Pe

Regular season

Format

The 31 teams played in a single round-robin format, playing one game against all other teams in the league for a total of 30 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 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.

International games

For the first time in MPBL history, the league held regular season games in international venues under its existing Invasion series.

DateTeamsArenaLocationRef.
MPBL Dubai Invasion
September 27, 2019Davao Occidental Tigers vs. Batangas City AthleticsHamdan Sports ComplexDubai, United Arab Emirates
September 28, 2019Batangas City Athletics vs. Imus Bandera
MPBL Canada Invasion
December 27, 2019Zamboanga Family's Brand Sardines vs. Imus BanderaWinsport ArenaCalgary, Alberta, Canada

Standings

North Division

PosTeamvtePldWLPCTGBQualification
1San Juan Knights30264.867Playoffs
2Manila Stars30255.8331
3Makati Super Crunch30228.7334
4Pampanga Giant Lanterns30219.7005
5Bataan Risers302010.6676
6Bulacan Kuyas301911.6337
7Pasig Sta. Lucia Realtors301812.6008
8Pasay Voyagers301713.5679
9Caloocan Supremos301614.53310
10Valenzuela Classic301119.36715
11Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards301020.33316
12Quezon City Capitals301020.33316
13Marikina Shoemasters30822.26718
14Parañaque Patriots30822.26718
15Navotas Uni-Pak Sardines29722.24118.5
16Rizal Golden Coolers29623.20719.5

South Division

PosTeamvtePldWLPCTGBQualification
1Davao Occidental Tigers30264.867Playoffs
2Bacoor City Strikers30246.8002
3Basilan Steel302010.6676
4Batangas City Athletics301911.6337
5Zamboanga Family's Brand Sardines301812.6008
6Iloilo United Royals301812.6008
7GenSan Warriors301812.6008
8Bicol Volcanoes301614.53310
9Cebu Casino Ethyl Alcohol301515.50011
10Biñan City Luxxe White301218.40014
11Bacolod Master Sardines301119.36715
12Mindoro Tamaraws30921.30017
13Muntinlupa Cagers30723.23319
14Imus Bandera30624.20020
15Sarangani Marlins30129.03325

Results

TeamsBCDBCRBASBANBTGBCLBIÑBULCALCEBDVOGSILOIMSMKTMNLMARMDRMUNNAVNEPAMPARPSYPSGQCRZLSJSARVALZAM
Bacolod100–107**96–8964–8454–6376–72**69–6876–6974–8980–8574–8568–8781–8968–5974–8470–8767–6687–8398–86**69–7876–8265–8278–8250–6168–8768–6384–8971–9589–8083–7884–82
Bacoor City90–9293–6667–6884–8078–7078–7695–94**88–7173–7087–7579–6879–5786–6374–78100–8876–5998–6787–7890–8069–76109–5678–8373–64111–7987–8476–7765–6078–7483–75
Basilan83–9189–101**83–9478–9455–6582–7086–7871–7685–7978–7498–8580–8665–6686–83105–8990–79113–9493–8183–74**89–7174–5989–83**86–78103–8586–8985–8287–7878–83
Bataan69–7376–7275–6279–81**90–7765–7575–8374–6678–8465–6169–7676–7782–7697–8786–5381–7871–6077–7675–5672–7163–6479–7378–5779–87**102–7186–92**92–79
Batangas City71–7685–9581–8280–6768–5657–6785–7965–5986–85**94–89**50–7370–66106–9979–7072–6881–8579–82**57–6161–7267–62105–8076–7893–8876–5477–6677–67
Bicol80–7581–8373–8177–6776–8865–6374–7781–78**75–8373–7686–6770–7490–8788–7370–5882–7079–6873–6873–7589–8777–7969–9886–7290–81**84–80
Biñan City82–8772–6885–81**66–7276–10063–6788–8387–9293–10682–7295–8290–10298–11098–9086–9670–7357–6875–8285–11092–8284–8994–7289–8474–72
Bulacan81–7975–7175–9177–8173–8375–7076–7472–9381–7974–6977–62105–104**78–8563–6976–69100–98**72–7778–7075–6188–9076–6995–7959–60
Caloocan70–5469–7679–7063–9075–78**77–11972–6576–7493–9063–6297–9692–9070–7690–7578–7287–8984–8792–7889–11193–7776–6583–74
Cebu61–6572–6669–68101–7667–7391–86**50–4273–9479–6283–7177–7377–8879–7074–8268–7895–8989–5969–8889–5766–6974–70
Davao Occidental84–7589–7694–78101–7979–7685–8399–84106–9094–7486–7962–6578–7069–6775–7190–8286–5565–84104–7565–6784–82
General Santos69–6475–7390–91**72–7996–8988–8084–6187–7680–7585–9478–6776–6991–82124–10370–6997–91104–8793–8752–62
Iloilo73–69**71–7888–8570–5568–7092–9672–6792–9076–7067–6452–5679–6580–8471–6567–7096–8673–6760–58
Imus64–6958–8586–8988–8686–9086–7175–7382–9977–8165–8288–9393–10579–77**68–9782–7067–7372–88
Makati56–6485–7097–6581–6867–6274–8096–9491–7161–79101–8785–9173–5186–88106–7078–61111–106**
Manila107–95133–10176–5796–9196–8692–76106–7873–7269–5685–86116–8975–70104–8971–6674–71
Marikina75–8085–7588–8076–7869–9589–8266–7063–6976–77**87–8673–8799–9570–6562–74
Mindoro76–8557–7279–7878–8563–6172–8476–7562–7274–7368–11491–8759–6764–84
Muntinlupa83–8982–8566–7787–7875–76**76–98106–10066–7063–9158–5583–9763–75
Navotas125–9774–8371–8268–70100–10797–98*95–11288–8288–8365–80
Nueva Ecija75–8185–8169–7572–8592–7484–7195–10989–50116–119**85–109
Pampanga82–6375–6571–6275–8190–7097–102**115–7177–7459–73
Parañaque60–7987–10083–85101–7065–8173–7089–8365–74
Pasay68–7192–8974–6972–7470–5461–7782–83
Pasig92–8178–7299–10989–7790–7269–82
Quezon City62–7271–8974–7865–7060–71
Rizal86–10177–7377–8176–95
San Juan100–7778–6864–69
Sarangani84–8975–100
Valenzuela78–85
Zamboanga

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

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.

Division quarterfinals (best-of-3)Division semifinals (best-of-3)Division finals (best-of-3)National finals (best-of-5)
N1San Juan2
N8Pasay0
N1San Juan2
N4Pampanga0
N4Pampanga2
N5Bataan0
N1San Juan2
North Division
N3Makati1
N2Manila2
N7Pasig0
N2Manila1
N3Makati2
N3Makati2
N6Bulacan0
N1San Juan1
S1Davao Occidental3
S1Davao Occidental2
S8Bicol1
S1Davao Occidental2
S5Zamboanga0
S4Batangas City1
S5Zamboanga2
S1Davao Occidental2
South Division
S3Basilan1
S2Bacoor City2
S7General Santos0
S2Bacoor City1
S3Basilan2
S3Basilan2
S6Iloilo0
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First Round

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

Team 1SeriesTeam 2Game 1Game 2Game 3
(1) San Juan Knights2–0(8) Pasay Voyagers75–7474–67
(2) Manila Stars2–0(7) Pasig Sta. Lucia Realtors91–8882–80
(3) Makati Super Crunch2–0(6) Bulacan Kuyas94–8886–78
(4) Pampanga Giant Lanterns2–0(5) Bataan Risers71–6483–80

South Division first round

Team 1SeriesTeam 2Game 1Game 2Game 3
(1) Davao Occidental Tigers2–1(8) Bicol Volcanoes77–7181–8464–56 (OT)
(2) Bacoor City Strikers2–0(7) GenSan Warriors95–7269–60
(3) Basilan Steel2–0(6) Iloilo United Royals83–6870–63
(4) Batangas City Athletics1–2(5) Zamboanga Family's Brand Sardines74–7884–7552–69

Division semifinals

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

Due to San Juan advancing after game 2, Manila instead hosted game 3.

Team 1SeriesTeam 2Game 1Game 2Game 3
(1) San Juan Knights2–0(4) Pampanga Giant Lanterns86–8491–83
(2) Manila Stars1–2(3) Makati Super Crunch77–7459–7575–78 (OT)

South Division semifinals

Team 1SeriesTeam 2Game 1Game 2Game 3
(1) Davao Occidental Tigers2–0(5) Zamboanga Family's Brand Sardines47–2862–58
(2) Bacoor City Strikers1–2(3) Basilan Steel63–7780–6976–84

Division finals

Under standard rules, 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.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the playoffs had to be suspended after both game 2s were played. The suspension lasted for a year, until the league were cleared by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) to host a bubble at the Subic Bay Gymnasium in Olongapo, Zambales, where all remaining games were played.

North Division finals

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, San Juan ended up hosting games 1 and 2, the latter being held behind closed doors. Game 3 was held at a neutral site in the Subic Bay Gymnasium.

Team 1SeriesTeam 2Game 1Game 2Game 3
(1) San Juan Knights2–1(3) Makati Super Crunch76–6088–91131–54

South Division finals

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, game 3 would've been held at a neutral site in the Subic Bay Gymnasium.

However, game 3 was defaulted because multiple Basilan Steel members were tested positive for COVID-19 inside the bubble. Thus the game and the series was won by Davao Occidental as the Tigers advanced to the MPBL finals.

Team 1SeriesTeam 2Game 1Game 2Game 3
(1) Davao Occidental Tigers2–1(3) Basilan Steel72–7481–762–0 (default)

MPBL finals

Neither team had homecourt advantage due to all games being held at the Subic Bay Gymnasium.

Team 1SeriesTeam 2Game 1Game 2Game 3Game 4Game 5
(N1) San Juan Knights1–3(S1) Davao Occidental Tigers75–77 (OT)70–6558–6688–89 (OT)

All-Star Game

The 2020 MPBL All-Star Game was an exhibition game played on February 13, 2020. It was the second edition of the MPBL All-Star Game, which took place at SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay, the same venue as the previous edition.

For the second consecutive season, South Division won against the North Division with a score of 126–122 in overtime. Jeff Viernes was also declared the All-Star Game MVP for the second time in a row.

Lineups

Out of the 30 players selected, eight of them made their second all-star appearance. Those being Cedric Ablaza of the Makati Super Crunch, Gerald Anderson of the Imus Bandera, Gab Banal of the Bacoor City Strikers, Aris Dionisio of the Manila Stars, Paulo Hubalde of Val City Carga Backload Solution, Jay-R Taganas of the Bulacan Kuyas, Jeff Viernes of the Batangas City Athletics, and Mark Yee of the Davao Occidental Tigers.

North All-Stars
PosPlayerTeamNo. of selections
North All-Stars Pos Player Team No. of selections Starters Alfred Batino Bataan Risers 1 Aris Dionisio Manila Stars 2 Michael Juico Pampanga Giant Lanterns 1 Jai Reyes Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards 1 John Wilson San Juan Knights 1 Reserves Cedric Ablaza Makati Super Crunch 2 Mark Benitez Rizal Golden Coolers 1 Clark Derige Quezon City Capitals 1 Paulo Hubalde Val City Carga Backload Solution 2 Dhon Reverente Pasay Voyagers 1 Paul Sanga Caloocan Supremos 1 Jayboy Solis Parañaque Patriots 1 Jay-R Taganas Bulacan Kuyas 2 Marwin Taywan Navotas Uni-Pak Sardines 1 Jeric Teng Pasig Sta. Lucia Realtors 1 Ato Ular Marikina Shoemasters 1 Head coach: Randy Alcantara (San Juan Knights)South All-Stars Pos Player Team No. of selections Starters Gab Banal Bacoor City Strikers 2 Allyn Bulanadi Basilan Steel 1 Will McAloney Cebu Casino Ethyl Alcohol 1 Jeff Viernes Batangas City Athletics 2 Mark Yee Davao Occidental Tigers 2 Reserves Gerald Anderson Imus Bandera 2 Ronjay Buenafe Bicol Volcanoes 1 Robby Celiz GenSan Warriors 1 Richard Escoto Iloilo United Royals 1 Pao Javelona Bacolod Master Sardines 1 Pari Llagas Sarangani Marlins 1 Allan Mangahas Biñan City Luxxe White 1 Alvin Pasaol Zamboanga Family's Brand Sardines 1 Rodel Vaygan Mindoro Tamaraws 1 GJ Ylagan Muntinlupa Cagers 1 Head coach: Don Dulay (Davao Occidental)
Starters
Alfred BatinoBataan Risers1
Aris DionisioManila Stars2
Michael JuicoPampanga Giant Lanterns1
Jai ReyesNueva Ecija Rice Vanguards1
John WilsonSan Juan Knights1
Reserves
Cedric AblazaMakati Super Crunch2
Mark BenitezRizal Golden Coolers1
Clark DerigeQuezon City Capitals1
Paulo HubaldeVal City Carga Backload Solution2
Dhon ReverentePasay Voyagers1
Paul SangaCaloocan Supremos1
Jayboy SolisParañaque Patriots1
Jay-R TaganasBulacan Kuyas2
Marwin TaywanNavotas Uni-Pak Sardines1
Jeric TengPasig Sta. Lucia Realtors1
Ato UlarMarikina Shoemasters1
Head coach: Randy Alcantara (San Juan Knights)
PosPlayerTeamNo. of selections
Starters
Gab BanalBacoor City Strikers2
Allyn BulanadiBasilan Steel1
Will McAloneyCebu Casino Ethyl Alcohol1
Jeff ViernesBatangas City Athletics2
Mark YeeDavao Occidental Tigers2
Reserves
Gerald AndersonImus Bandera2
Ronjay BuenafeBicol Volcanoes1
Robby CelizGenSan Warriors1
Richard EscotoIloilo United Royals1
Pao JavelonaBacolod Master Sardines1
Pari LlagasSarangani Marlins1
Allan MangahasBiñan City Luxxe White1
Alvin PasaolZamboanga Family's Brand Sardines1
Rodel VayganMindoro Tamaraws1
GJ YlaganMuntinlupa Cagers1
Head coach: Don Dulay (Davao Occidental)

Game

S+A
February 13
North All-Stars122–126(OT)South All-Stars
Scoring by quarter: 23–28, 28–23, 28–29, 33–32,Overtime: 10–14
Pts: Michael Juico 23Pts: Jeff Viernes 28
Mall of Asia Arena, Pasay

Pre-game events

Before the game itself, a series of pre-game events were held. Returning events include the executives' Game, Three-Point Shootout and the Slam Dunk Contest.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic

On March 12, 2020, the league announced the suspension of the 2019–20 season due to the impending COVID-19 pandemic. The league had just concluded with the second games of both division finals series, with both series being forced into a do-or-die third game. Commissioner Kenneth Duremdes stated in June that the suspended playoffs would continue once restrictions on contact sports have been lifted by the government. The suspension lasted nearly one year, as the league announced on March 6, 2021 that it would finally resume its 2020 playoffs in a bio-secure bubble at the Subic Bay Gymnasium on March 10. The 2020–21 season was also cancelled, with the league instead intending to start its fourth season in June 2021 before ultimately settling for 2022.

Statistics

Awards

Individual season awards

Most of the league's individual awards were given out before game 4 of the national finals at the Subic Bay Gymnasium. The Finals Most Valuable Player and Coach of the Year were awarded at the conclusion of the series.

AwardRecipientTeam
Most Valuable PlayerJohn WilsonSan Juan Knights
Finals Most Valuable PlayerMark YeeDavao Occidental Tigers
Defensive Player of the YearMark YeeDavao Occidental Tigers
Sportsmanship awardBilly Ray RoblesDavao Occidental Tigers

All-MPBL teams

All-MPBL First Team
All-MPBL First Team Player Team John Wilson San Juan Knights Mike Ayonayon San Juan Knights Mark Yee Davao Occidental Tigers Jeric Teng Pasig Sta. Lucia Realtors Jeckster Apinan Makati Super CrunchAll-MPBL Second Team Player Team Gab Banal Bacoor City Strikers John Raymundo GenSan Warriors Aris Dionisio Manila Stars Chris Bitoon Manila Stars Dhon Reverente Pasay Voyagers
PlayerTeam
John WilsonSan Juan Knights
Mike AyonayonSan Juan Knights
Mark YeeDavao Occidental Tigers
Jeric TengPasig Sta. Lucia Realtors
Jeckster ApinanMakati Super Crunch
All-MPBL Second Team
PlayerTeam
Gab BanalBacoor City Strikers
John RaymundoGenSan Warriors
Aris DionisioManila Stars
Chris BitoonManila Stars
Dhon ReverentePasay Voyagers

Players of the Week

WeekPlayerRef.
June 12−15, 2019Mark Cruz (Pampanga Giant Lanterns)
June 17−22, 2019Aris Dionisio (Manila Stars)
June 24−29, 2019Aaron Black (Quezon City Capitals)
July 1–6, 2019Allan Mangahas (Biñan City Heroes)
July 8–13, 2019
July 15–20, 2019Mark Yee (Davao Occidental Tigers)
July 22–27, 2019
July 29 – August 3, 2019Edzel Mag-isa (Muntinlupa Cagers)
August 5–10, 2019Jeric Teng (Pasig Sta. Lucia Realtors)
August 12–17, 2019
August 19–24, 2019
August 26–31, 2019
September 2–7, 2019Michael Juico (Pampanga Giant Lanterns)
September 9–14, 2019
September 16–21, 2019
September 23–28, 2019
September 30 – October 5, 2019
October 7–12, 2019RJ Ramirez (Bacoor City Strikers)

Notable events

  • On November 4, 2019, the league suspended the Soccsksargen Marlins team due to allegations of game-fixing, as part of the league's greater crackdown on the issue. The team was later turned over to new management and was renamed to the Sarangani Marlins. Two years later, criminal charges were filed against the members involved.

Records and milestones

Milestones

  • January 11, 2020 – John Wilson becomes the 1st ever player to reach 1,000 MPBL career points.
  • February 12, 2020 – Yves Sazon becomes the 2nd player to reach 1,000 MPBL career points.
  • March 9, 2020 – Mark Yee becomes the 3rd player to reach 1,000 MPBL career points.
  • March 11, 2020 – Juneric Baloria becomes the 4th player to reach 1,000 MPBL career points.

Media

This season marked the third and final year of both ABS-CBN's and Fox Sports Asia's broadcast rights with the league.

For ABS-CBN, games were broadcast on S+A, Liga, and The Filipino Channel, while iWantTFC served as the network's international streaming platform. A2Z also broadcast the bubble games of the 2020–21 playoffs. The network's broadcast rights came to an end after the network's franchise was expired. On the other hand, Fox Sports Asia continued to broadcast Monday games as the league's cable partner. The network itself shut down on October 1, 2021.

IBC and TAP DMV would take over the television rights in the 2021 Invitational, while Cignal TV acquired the rights beginning with the succeeding 2022 season.

The league continued to broadcast all of the games on its official Facebook page.