2018–19 MPBL season

{{Short description|2nd season of the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League}} {{Use Philippine English|date=February 2023}} {{Use mdy dates|date=February 2023}} {{Infobox sports season | title = 2018–19 MPBL season | league = [[Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League]] | sport = [[Basketball]] | logo = | pixels = | caption = | duration = '''Regular season:''' June 12, 2018 – March 11, 2019 '''Playoffs:''' March 12 – April 8, 2019 '''Finals:''' April 11–25, 2019 | no_of_games = 364 (regular season) | no_of_matches = | no_of_teams = 26 | attendance = | TV = [[ABS-CBN Sports and Action|S+A]] [[Fox Sports Asia|Fox Sports]]<ref>{{cite news |last1=Joble |first1=Rey |title=FOX Sports to air monday MPBL games starting November 5 |url=https://www.foxsports.ph/basketball/mpbl/923735/fox-sports-to-air-monday-mpbl-games-starting-november-5/ |accessdate=October 19, 2018 |work=Fox Sports Philippines |date=October 18, 2018 |archive-date=November 21, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181121120516/https://www.foxsports.ph/basketball/mpbl/923735/fox-sports-to-air-monday-mpbl-games-starting-november-5/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> | season = Regular season | top_seed = [[Bataan Risers]] | MVP = [[Gab Banal]] ([[Bacoor City Strikers|Bacoor City]]) | MVP_link = MPBL Most Valuable Player award | Cup_MVP = | Cup_MVP_link = | top_scorer = | top_scorer_link = | promote = | promote_from = | relegate = | relegate_to = | playoffs = Playoffs | playoffs_link = 2019 MPBL playoffs | conf1 = North Division | conf1_link = | conf1_champ = [[San Juan Knights]] | conf1_runner-up = [[Manila Stars]] | conf2 = South Division | conf2_link = | conf2_champ = [[Davao Occidental Tigers]] | conf2_runner-up = [[Batangas City Athletics]] | playoffs_MVP = | playoffs_MVP_link = | finals = Finals | finals_link = 2019 MPBL finals | finals_champ = [[San Juan Knights]] | finals_runner-up = [[Davao Occidental Tigers]] | finals_MVP = [[Mike Ayonayon]] ([[San Juan Knights|San Juan]]) | finals_MVP_link = MPBL Finals Most Valuable Player award | finals_mvp_name = | final_four_MVP = | final_four_MVP_link = | grand_final_MVP = | grand_final_MVP_link = | seasonslist = List of MPBL seasons | seasonslistnames = MPBL | prevseason_link = 2018 MPBL season | prevseason_year = 2018 | altseason_link = | altseason_year = | nextseason_link = 2019–20 MPBL season | nextseason_year = 2019–20 }}

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 with the opening ceremonies [[Smart Araneta Coliseum]] in [[Quezon City]], and ended on March 11, 2019. The league also held its first ever [[2019 MPBL All-Star Game|All-Star Game]] at the [[SM Mall of Asia Arena]] in [[Pasay]] on March 2, 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 in the league dividing into the [[North Division (MPBL)|North]] and [[South Division (MPBL)|South Division]]s, 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.

== Teams ==

=== Expansion === 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 === 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 ===

{|class="wikitable" |style="background:#CFFFCF; width:2em"| || Expansion team |- |style="background:#FFCFFF; width:2em"| || New arena |}

{| class="wikitable" |- ! Team !! Arena !! Capacity |- ! colspan="3" style="background:#1D428A;" |North Division |- | [[Bataan Risers]] || Bataan People's Center || 4,000 |- | rowspan="2" | [[Bulacan Kuyas]] || style="background:#FFCFFF;" | Baliwag Star Arena || style="background:#FFCFFF;" | 5,000 |- | Bulacan Capitol Gymnasium || 5,000 |- | [[Caloocan Supremos]] || [[Caloocan Sports Complex]] || 3,000 |- | style="background:#CFFFCF;" | [[Makati Super Crunch]] || style="background:#FFCFFF;" | [[Ynares Sports Arena]] || style="background:#FFCFFF;" | 3,000 |- | rowspan="2" style="background:#CFFFCF;" | [[Mandaluyong El Tigre]] || style="background:#FFCFFF;" | [[Jose Rizal University|Jose Rizal University Gymnasium]] || style="background:#FFCFFF;" | 1,000 |- | style="background:#FFCFFF;" | [[Ynares Sports Arena]] || style="background:#FFCFFF;" | 3,000 |- | style="background:#CFFFCF;" | [[Manila Stars]] || style="background:#FFCFFF;" | [[San Andres Sports Complex]] || style="background:#FFCFFF;" | 3,000 |- | [[Navotas Clutch]] || Navotas Sports Complex || 1,000 |- | style="background:#CFFFCF;" | [[Pampanga Lanterns]] || style="background:#FFCFFF;" | [[Angeles University Foundation|AUF Sports and Cultural Center]] || style="background:#FFCFFF;" | 3,000 |- | style="background:#CFFFCF;" | [[Pasay Voyagers]] || style="background:#FFCFFF;" | [[Cuneta Astrodome]] || style="background:#FFCFFF;" | 12,000 |- | style="background:#CFFFCF;" | [[Pasig Pirates]] || style="background:#FFCFFF;" | Pasig Sports Center || style="background:#FFCFFF;" | 2,500 |- | rowspan="3" | [[Quezon City Capitals]] || style="background:#FFCFFF;" | [[Blue Eagle Gym]] || style="background:#FFCFFF;" | 7,500 |- | style="background:#FFCFFF;" | [[Trinity University of Asia|Henry Noble Gymnasium]] || style="background:#FFCFFF;" | 980 |- | JCSGO Seed Dome || 1,000 |- | style="background:#CFFFCF;" | [[San Juan Knights]] || style="background:#FFCFFF;" | [[Filoil Flying V Centre]] || style="background:#FFCFFF;" | 5,500 |- | [[Valenzuela Classic]] || Valenzuela Astrodome || 3,000 |- ! colspan="3" style="background:#C8102E;" |South Division |- | style="background:#CFFFCF;" | [[Bacoor City Strikers]] || style="background:#FFCFFF;" | Strike Gymansium || style="background:#FFCFFF;" | 1,500 |- | style="background:#CFFFCF;" | [[Basilan Steel]] || style="background:#FFCFFF;" | Lamitan Capitol Gymansium || style="background:#FFCFFF;" | 3,000 |- | rowspan="3" | [[Batangas City Athletics]] || Batangas City Sports Coliseum || 4,000 |- | style="background:#FFCFFF;" | [[Batangas State University|Batangas State University Gymnasium]] || style="background:#FFCFFF;" | 2,500 |- | style="background:#FFCFFF;" | [[De La Salle Lipa|De La Salle Lipa SENTRUM]] || style="background:#FFCFFF;" | 1,000 |- | rowspan="2" style="background:#CFFFCF;" | [[Cebu City Sharks]] || style="background:#FFCFFF;" | [[University of San Jose–Recoletos|USJ–R Basak Coliseum]] || style="background:#FFCFFF;" | 4,000 |- | style="background:#FFCFFF;" | [[Hoops Dome]] || style="background:#FFCFFF;" | 6,500 |- | rowspan="2" style="background:#CFFFCF;" | [[Davao Occidental Tigers]] || style="background:#FFCFFF;" | [[University of Southeastern Philippines|USeP Gymnasium and Cultural Center]] || style="background:#FFCFFF;" | 6,000 |- | style="background:#FFCFFF;" | Rizal Memorial Colleges Gymnasium || style="background:#FFCFFF;" | 2,000 |- | style="background:#CFFFCF;" | [[GenSan Warriors]] || style="background:#FFCFFF;" | Lagao Gymnasium || style="background:#FFCFFF;" | 6,000 |- | [[Imus Bandera]] || Imus City Sports Complex || 1,000 |- | style="background:#CFFFCF;" | [[Laguna Heroes]] || style="background:#FFCFFF;" | [[Alonte Sports Arena]] || style="background:#FFCFFF;" | 6,500 |- | style="background:#CFFFCF;" | [[Marikina Shoemasters]] || style="background:#FFCFFF;" | [[Marist School (Marikina)|Marist School Gymnasium]] || style="background:#FFCFFF;" | 2,500 |- | [[Muntinlupa Cagers]] || Muntinlupa Sports Center || 3,000 |- | [[Parañaque Patriots]] || [[Olivarez College|Olivarez College Gymnasium]] || 3,500 |- | style="background:#CFFFCF;" | [[Rizal Crusaders]] || style="background:#FFCFFF;" | [[Ynares Center]] || style="background:#FFCFFF;" | 7,400 |- | style="background:#CFFFCF;" | [[Zamboanga Family's Brand Sardines]] || style="background:#FFCFFF;" | Mayor Vitaliano D. Agan Coliseum || style="background:#FFCFFF;" | 12,000 |- ! colspan="3" style="background:#CFCFCF;" |Neutral |- | {{n/a|Opening ceremonies}} || [[Smart Araneta Coliseum]] || 25,000 |- | {{n/a|All-Star Game}} || style="background:#FFCFFF;" | [[SM Mall of Asia Arena]] || style="background:#FFCFFF;" | 15,000 |}

===Name changes=== * The '''Bataan Defenders''' changed its name to '''[[Bataan Risers]]''' before the start of the season. * The '''Makati Skyscrapers''' changed their team name to '''[[Makati Super Crunch]]''' in November 2018. * The '''Valenzuela Classic''' its team name to '''[[Valenzuela Idol Cheesedogs]]''' in July 2018, but was later reverted back in November 2018. * The '''[[Zamboanga Valientes]]''' changed its team name to '''[[Zamboanga Family's Brand Sardines]]''' in 2019.

===Coaching changes=== {| class="wikitable" !colspan="3"|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 |- !colspan="3"|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 ===

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.<ref>{{Cite web |title=MPBL takes a hit for 'racist' rule limiting teams to only one Fil-foreign player |url=https://www.spin.ph/basketball/mpbl-comes-under-fire-for-new-rule-limiting-teams-to-only-one-fil-foreign-player |access-date=2023-08-03 |website=Spin.ph |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-05-17 |title=Tratter: MPBL rule on Fil-foreigners taking away opportunity from players |url=https://www.espn.com/basketball/story/_/id/23527939/abu-tratter-says-mpbl-rule-fil-foreigners-taking-away-opportunity-players |access-date=2023-08-03 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}</ref>

== Regular season ==

=== Format === 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 ===

==== North Division ==== {{2019 MPBL Northern Division standings}}

==== South Division ==== {{2019 MPBL Southern Division standings}}

=== Results ===  {{#invoke:Sports results|main|team_header=Teams | source=[http://mpbl.web.geniussports.com/competitions/?WHurl=%2Fcompetition%2F21236%2Fschedule%3F Schedule] | update= complete | matches_style=BSR | solid_cell=grey | ot_note=yes |font_size=90%

| team1=BCR | name_BCR=[[Bacoor City Strikers|Bacoor City]] | team2=BAS | name_BAS=[[Basilan Steel|Basilan]] | team3=BAN | name_BAN=[[Bataan Risers|Bataan]] | team4=BTG | name_BTG=[[Batangas City Athletics|Batangas City]] | team5=BUL | name_BUL=[[Bulacan Kuyas|Bulacan]] | team6=CAL | name_CAL=[[Caloocan Supremos|Caloocan]] | team7=CEB | name_CEB=[[Cebu City Sharks|Cebu City]] | team8=DVO | name_DVO={{nowrap|[[Davao Occidental Tigers|Davao Occidental]]}} | team9=GS | name_GS =[[GenSan Warriors|General Santos]] | team10=IMS | name_IMS=[[Imus Bandera|Imus]] | team11=LAG | name_LAG=[[Laguna Heroes|Laguna]] | team12=MKT | name_MKT=[[Makati Super Crunch|Makati]] | team13=MDL | name_MDL=[[Mandaluyong El Tigre|Mandaluyong]] | team14=MNL | name_MNL=[[Manila Stars|Manila]] | team15=MAR | name_MAR=[[Marikina Shoemasters|Marikina]] | team16=MUN | name_MUN=[[Muntinlupa Cagers|Muntinlupa]] | team17=NAV | name_NAV=[[Navotas Clutch|Navotas]] | team18=PAM | name_PAM=[[Pampanga Lanterns|Pampanga]] | team19=PAR | name_PAR=[[Parañaque Patriots|Parañaque]] | team20=PSY | name_PSY=[[Pasay Voyagers|Pasay]] | team21=PSG | name_PSG=[[Pasig Pirates|Pasig]] | team22=QC | name_QC =[[Quezon City Capitals|Quezon City]] | team23=RZL | name_RZL=[[Rizal Crusaders|Rizal]] | team24=SJ | name_SJ =[[San Juan Knights|San Juan]] | team25=VAL | name_VAL=[[Valenzuela Idol Cheesedogs|Valenzuela]] | team26=ZAM | name_ZAM=[[Zamboanga Family's Brand Sardines|Zamboanga]]

| match_BCR_BAS=79–67 | match_BCR_BAN=75–84 | match_BCR_BTG=62–70 | match_BCR_BUL=76–77 | match_BCR_CAL=86–68 | match_BCR_CEB=76–71 | match_BCR_DVO=50–69 | match_BCR_GS =71–82 | match_BCR_IMS=90–79 | match_BCR_LAG=91–86 | match_BCR_MKT=67–73 | match_BCR_MDL=61–83 | match_BCR_MNL=92–86 | match_BCR_MAR=85–87 | match_BCR_MUN=83–97 | match_BCR_NAV=81–75 | match_BCR_PAM=80–81 | match_BCR_PAR=81–82 (forfeited)|match_BCR_PAR_note=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.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Joble |first1=Rey |title=Bacoor secures No.5 seat in south after winning via forfeiture over Paranaque |url=https://www.foxsports.ph/basketball/mpbl/988183/mpbl-bacoor-secures-no-5-seat-in-south-after-winning-via-forfeiture-over-paranaque/ |accessdate=March 11, 2019 |work=Fox Sports Philippines |date=March 11, 2019 }}{{dead link|date=August 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> | match_BCR_PSG=84–59 | match_BCR_PSY=90–86 | match_BCR_RZL=74–63 | match_BCR_QC =90–87 | match_BCR_SJ =63–74 | match_BCR_VAL=88–81 | match_BCR_ZAM=63–72

| match_ZAM_BCR=— | match_ZAM_BAS=— | match_ZAM_BAN=— | match_ZAM_BTG=— | match_ZAM_BUL=— | match_ZAM_CAL=— | match_ZAM_CEB=— | match_ZAM_DVO=— | match_ZAM_GS =— | match_ZAM_IMS=— | match_ZAM_LAG=— | match_ZAM_MKT=— | match_ZAM_MDL=— | match_ZAM_MNL=— | match_ZAM_MAR=— | match_ZAM_MUN=— | match_ZAM_NAV=— | match_ZAM_PAM=— | match_ZAM_PAR=— | match_ZAM_PSG=— | match_ZAM_PSY=— | match_ZAM_RZL=— | match_ZAM_QC =— | match_ZAM_SJ =— | match_ZAM_VAL=— }} 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 == {{main|2019 MPBL 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''.

===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==== {{ThreeLegStart}} {{ThreeLegResult| '''(1) [[Bataan Risers]]''' || 2–0 | (8) [[Caloocan Supremos]] ||'''91'''–71 |'''83'''–71| — }} {{ThreeLegResult| {{nowrap|(2) [[Makati Super Crunch]]}} || 0–2 | {{nowrap|'''(7) [[Quezon City Capitals]]'''}} ||77–'''88'''|74–'''77'''| —}} {{ThreeLegResult| '''(3) [[San Juan Knights]]''' || 2–0 | (6) [[Navotas Clutch]] ||'''81'''–76 | '''75'''–69| —}} {{ThreeLegResult| '''(4) [[Manila Stars]]''' || 2–0| (5) [[Bulacan Kuyas]] ||'''69'''–65|'''92'''–83| —}} |}

====South Division first round==== {{ThreeLegStart}} {{ThreeLegResult| {{nowrap|'''(1) [[Davao Occidental Tigers]]'''}} || 2–0 | (8) [[Cebu City Sharks]] || '''82'''–67 | '''76'''–69| —}} {{ThreeLegResult| '''(2) [[Batangas City Athletics]]''' || 2–1 | (7) [[Imus Bandera]] || '''77'''–69 | 69–'''75''' | '''92'''–65 }} {{ThreeLegResult| (3) [[Muntinlupa Cagers]] || 1–2 | {{nowrap|'''(6) [[Zamboanga Family's Brand Sardines]]'''}} || '''89'''–78 | 73–'''84''' | 83–'''87''' }} {{ThreeLegResult| (4) [[General Santos Warriors]] || 0–2 | '''(5) [[Bacoor Strikers]]''' || 80–'''90''' | 78–'''92''' | —}} |}

===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==== {{ThreeLegStart}} {{ThreeLegResult| (1) [[Bataan Risers]] || 1–2 | '''(4) [[Manila Stars]]''' || '''73'''–72 | 76–'''80''' | 51-'''56''' }} {{ThreeLegResult| {{nowrap|'''(3) [[San Juan Knights]]'''}} || 2–0 | {{nowrap|(7) [[Quezon City Capitals]]}} || '''94'''–86 | '''106'''–81 | — }} |}

====South Division semifinals==== Due to [[Davao Occidental Tigers|Davao Occidental]] advancing after game 2, [[Batangas City Athletics|Batangas City]] instead hosted game 3.

{{ThreeLegStart}} {{ThreeLegResult| {{nowrap|'''(1) [[Davao Occidental Tigers]]'''}} || 2–0 | (5) [[Bacoor Strikers]] || '''79'''–71 | '''87'''–67 | — }} {{ThreeLegResult| '''(2) [[Batangas City Athletics]]''' || 2–1 | {{nowrap|(6) [[Zamboanga Family's Brand Sardines]]}} || 58–'''72''' | '''67'''–57 | '''80'''–72 }} |}

===Division finals=== 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==== {{ThreeLegStart}} {{ThreeLegResult| '''(3) [[San Juan Knights]]''' || 2–1 | (4) [[Manila Stars]] || 88–'''91''' | '''92'''–90 | '''83'''–74 }} |}

====South Division finals==== {{ThreeLegStart}} {{ThreeLegResult| '''(1) [[Davao Occidental Tigers]]''' || 2–1 | (2) [[Batangas City Athletics]] || '''66'''–48 | 74–'''76''' | '''66'''–51 }} |}

===MPBL finals=== {{main|2019 MPBL finals}} 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.

{{ThreeLegStart|legs=5}} {{ThreeLegResult| (S1) [[Davao Occidental Tigers]] || 2–3 | '''(N3) [[San Juan Knights]]''' || 74–'''84'''| '''67'''–60|62–'''67''' | '''77'''–66|86–'''87'''}} |}

==All-Star Game== {{Infobox basketball game | name = 2019 MPBL All-Star Game | image = | visitor = North All-Stars | home = '''South All-Stars''' | visitor_total = 84 | visitor_per1 = 21 | visitor_per2 = 23 | visitor_per3 = 20 | visitor_per4 = 20 | team1_coach = [[Jojo Lastimosa]] {{small|([[Bataan Risers]])}} | home_total = 109 | home_per1 = 21 | home_per2 = 20 | home_per3 = 38 | home_per4 = 30 | team2_coach = [[Don Dulay]] {{small|([[Davao Occidental Tigers]])}} | date = March 2, 2019 | arena = [[SM Mall of Asia Arena]] | city = [[Pasay]] | MVP = [[Jeff Viernes]] | attendance = | network = | previous = | next = [[2020 MPBL All-Star Game|2020]] }}

The 2019 MPBL All-Star Game was an exhibition game played on March 2, 2019. It was the inaugural edition of the [[MPBL All-Star Game]], which took place at [[SM Mall of Asia Arena]] in [[Pasay]].

The South Division prevailed over the North Division with a score of 109–84. [[Jeff Viernes]] was declared the [[MPBL All-Star Game Most Valuable Player award|All-Star Game MVP]].<ref>{{cite news |title=South tops North as Viernes, Anderson shine in MPBL All-Stars |url=https://www.rappler.com/sports/224819-south-tops-north-jeff-viernes-gerald-anderson-mpbl-all-stars/ |access-date=March 16, 2019 |work=Rappler |date=March 3, 2019}}</ref>

===Lineups=== {{col-begin}} {{col-2}} {|class="wikitable" |+ North All-Stars ! Pos ! Player ! Team |- !scope="col" colspan="4"|Starters |- | | Cedric Ablaza | [[Makati Super Crunch]] |- | | [[Mark Andaya]] | [[Pasig Pirates]] |- |- | | [[Mike Ayonayon]] | [[San Juan Knights]] |- | | [[Gary David]] | [[Bataan Risers]] |- | | [[Aris Dionisio]] | [[Manila Stars]] |- !scope="col" colspan="4"|Reserves |- | | Gian Abrigo | [[Mandaluyong El Tigre]] |- | | Jaypee Belencion | [[Pasay Voyagers]] |- | | Chris Bitoon | [[Manila Stars]] |- | | Jay Collado | [[Quezon City Capitals]] |- | | Marlon Gomez | [[Navotas Clutch]] |- | | Levi Hernandez | [[Pampanga Lanterns]] |- | | [[Paulo Hubalde]] | [[Valenzuela Classic]] |- | | [[Larry Rodriguez (basketball)|Larry Rodriguez]] | [[San Juan Knights]] |- | | [[Jay-R Taganas]] | [[Bulacan Kuyas]] |- | | [[Almond Vosotros]] | [[Caloocan Supremos]] |- | colspan="3" |'''Head coach''': [[Jojo Lastimosa]] ([[Bataan Risers]]) |} {{col-2}} {|class="wikitable" |+ South All-Stars ! Pos ! Player ! Team |- !scope="col" colspan="4"|Starters |- | | [[Gerald Anderson]] | [[Marikina Shoemasters]] |- | | [[Gab Banal]] | [[Bacoor City Strikers]] |- | | Jhaymo Eguilos | [[Batangas City Athletics]] |- | | Allan Mangahas | [[Muntinlupa Cagers]] |- | | [[Mark Yee]] | [[Davao Occidental Tigers]] |- !scope="col" colspan="4"|Reserves |- | | Marco Balagtas | [[Rizal Crusaders]] |- | | Patrick Cabahug | [[Cebu City Sharks]] |- | | Cris Masaglang | [[GenSan Warriors]] |- | | Paulo Castro | [[Parañaque Patriots]] |- | | [[Reed Juntilla]] | [[Zamboanga Family's Brand Sardines]] |- | | Michael Mabulac | [[Laguna Heroes]] |- | | Ian Melencio | [[Imus Bandera]] |- | | [[Leo Najorda]] | [[Davao Occidental Tigers]] |- | | [[Jojo Tangkay]] | [[Basilan Steel]] |- | | [[Jeff Viernes]] | [[Batangas City Athletics]] |- | colspan="3" |'''Head coach''': [[Don Dulay]] ([[Davao Occidental]]) |} {{col-end}}

=== Game === {{basketballbox | bg = | date = March 2, 2019 | time = | report = | teamA = North All-Stars | scoreA = 84 | teamB = '''South All-Stars''' | scoreB = '''109''' | overtime = | Q1 = 21–21 | Q2 = '''23'''–20 | Q3 = 20–'''38''' | Q4 = 20–'''30''' | OT = | points1 = Chris Bitoon 11 | rebounds1 = | assist1 = | otherstat1 = | points2 = Jeff Viernes 19 | rebounds2 = | assist2 = | otherstat2 = | duration = | place = [[Mall of Asia Arena]], [[Pasay]] | attendance = | referee = | TV = [[ABS-CBN Sports and Action|S+A]] | series = }}

===Pre-game events=== 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: * '''Executives' Game Champions:''' North Division Executives * '''2-Ball Challenge Champions:''' [[Pamboy Raymundo]] and [[Byron Villarias]] ([[Bataan Risers]]) * '''Three-Point Shootout Champion:''' [[Gary David]] ([[Bataan Risers]]) * '''Slam Dunk Competition Champion:''' David Carlos ([[Makati Super Crunch]])

==Statistics==

===Individual statistic leaders=== {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" |- ! 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 Strikers|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=== {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" |- ! 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 ==

=== Individual season awards === Most of the league's individual awards made their debut this season, which were given out before game 4 of the [[2019 MPBL finals|2019 national finals]] at the [[Filoil Flying V Centre]] in [[San Juan, Metro Manila|San Juan]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.foxsports.ph/basketball/mpbl/999481/ask-the-fans-who-makes-your-list-of-awardees-for-the-mpbl-datu-cup/|title=Ask the fans {{!}} Who makes your list of awardees for the MPBL Datu Cup?|last=Joble|first=Rey|date=April 18, 2019|work=Fox Sports Philippines|access-date=April 19, 2019|archive-date=April 19, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190419033234/https://www.foxsports.ph/basketball/mpbl/999481/ask-the-fans-who-makes-your-list-of-awardees-for-the-mpbl-datu-cup/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Saldajeno |first1=Ivan Stewart |date=April 22, 2019 |title=Gab Banal wins MPBL MVP plum |url=https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1067840 |accessdate=June 19, 2020 |work=Philippine News Agency}}</ref> The [[MPBL Finals Most Valuable Player award|Finals Most Valuable Player]] and Coach of the Year were given out at the conclusion of the series.<ref>{{cite news |date=25 April 2019 |title=MPBL: San Juan downs Davao Occidental captures title in dramatic fashion |url=https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/04/25/19/mpbl-san-juan-downs-davao-occidental-to-capture-datu-cup-title |access-date=27 April 2019 |work=ABS-CBN Sports}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable" |+ ! Award ! Recipient ! Team |- | '''[[MPBL Most Valuable Player award|Most Valuable Player]]''' | [[Gab Banal]] | [[Bacoor Strikers|Bacoor City Strikers]] |- | '''[[MPBL Finals Most Valuable Player award|Finals Most Valuable Player]]''' | [[Mike Ayonayon]] | [[San Juan Knights]] |- | '''[[MPBL Defensive Player of the Year award|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]] |- | '''[[MPBL Sportsmanship award|Sportsmanship award]]''' | [[Jay-R Taganas]] | [[Bulacan Kuyas]] |}

=== All-MPBL teams === This was the first season in which the league honored its best players with [[All-MPBL Team]]s.

{| border=0 |- valign="top" | {| class="wikitable" ! colspan="2" | All-MPBL First Team |- ! Player ! Team |- | [[Mark Yee]] | [[Davao Occidental Tigers]] |- | [[Gab Banal]] | [[Bacoor City Strikers]] |- | [[Aris Dionisio]] | [[Manila Stars]] |- | Chris Bitoon | [[Manila Stars]] |- | Allan Mangahas | [[Muntinlupa Cagers]] |} | style="padding-left:40px;" | {| class="wikitable" ! colspan="2" | All-MPBL Second Team |- ! Player ! Team |- | [[John Wilson (basketball)|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 === Alongside the multitude of new awards, the league also began honoring its best players for each week of the regular season.

{| class="wikitable" ! Week !! Player !! Ref. |- | align=center | June 12−16, 2018 || [[Reed Juntilla]] ([[Zamboanga Valientes]]) || <ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.rappler.com/sports/205358-mpbl-week-1-roundup-reed-juntilla-player-of-the-week/|title=MPBL week 1: Juntilla bags Player of the Week, Sazon wows in opener|publisher=[[Rappler]]|last=Isaga|first=JR|date=June 20, 2018|access-date=June 20, 2018}}</ref> |- | align=center | June 19−23, 2018 || Christopher Sumalinog ([[Bacoor City Strikers]]) || <ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.facebook.com/officialmpbl/photos/a.1824997527797970.1073741829.1823714191259637/1899988743632181/?type=3&theater|title=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.|publisher=[[Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League]]|last=Bolo|first=Lance|date=June 27, 2018|accessdate=June 27, 2018}}</ref> |- | align=center | June 26–30, 2018 ||[[Jai Reyes]] ([[Laguna Heroes]]) || <ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.facebook.com/officialmpbl/photos/a.1824997527797970.1073741829.1823714191259637/1905647989732923/?type=3&theater|title=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.|publisher=[[Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League]]|last=Bolo|first=Lance|date=July 2, 2018 |accessdate=July 2, 2018}}</ref> |- | align=center | July 3–6, 2018 || [[Bobby Ray Parks Jr.]] ([[Mandaluyong El Tigre]]) || |- | align=center | July 10–12, 2018 || Mar Villahermosa ([[Caloocan Supremos]]) || |- | align=center | July 16–21, 2018 || Michael Juico ([[Pampanga Lanterns]]) || |- | align=center | July 31 – August 4, 2018 || [[Mikee Reyes]] ([[Bacoor City Strikers]]) || |- | align=center | August 7–11, 2018 || [[Reed Juntilla]] ([[Zamboanga Valientes]]) || |- | align=center | August 14–16, 2018 || [[Gab Banal]] ([[Bacoor City Strikers]]) || |- | align=center | August 21–25, 2018 || Allan Mangahas ([[Muntinlupa Cagers]]) || |- | align=center | August 28 – September 1, 2018 || Billy Ray Robles ([[Davao Occidental Tigers]]) || |- | align=center | September 4–8, 2018 || Allan Mangahas ([[Muntinlupa Cagers]]) || |- | align=center | September 11–13, 2018 || [[Aris Dionisio]] ([[Manila Stars]]) || |- | align=center | September 19–23, 2018 || [[Mark Yee]] ([[Davao Occidental Tigers]]) || |- | align=center | September 25–29, 2018 || [[Mark Yee]] ([[Davao Occidental Tigers]]) || |- | align=center | October 2–6, 2018 || Gab Banal ([[Bacoor City Strikers]]) || |- | align=center | October 9–13, 2018 || Jan Jamon ([[Pasay Voyagers]]) || <ref>{{cite web |title=Player of the Week: (Oct. 9-13): JAN JAMON (Pasay Voyagers) |url=https://web.facebook.com/officialmpbl/photos/a.1824997527797970/1986926211605100/?type=3&theater |website=Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League Facebook Page |publisher=[[Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League]] |accessdate=October 19, 2018 |date=October 15, 2018}}</ref> |- | align=center | October 16–20, 2018 || Bobby Balucanag ([[Pasay Voyagers]]) || <ref>{{cite web |title=Player of the Week (Oct. 16-20): BOBBY BALUCANAG (Pasay Voyagers) |url=https://web.facebook.com/officialmpbl/photos/a.1823737284590661/1990336601264061/?type=3&theater |accessdate=October 27, 2018 |date=October 22, 2018}}</ref> |- | align=center | October 22–27, 2018 || [[Paulo Hubalde]] ([[Valenzuela Idol Cheesedogs]]) || |- | align=center | October 30 – November 3, 2018 || [[Jeff Viernes]] ([[Batangas City Athletics]]) || |- | align=center | January 3–5, 2019 || Renato Ular ([[Marikina Shoemasters]]) || |- | align=center | January 7–12, 2019 || [[Mac Cardona]] ([[San Juan Knights]]) || |- | align=center | February 11–16, 2019 || [[Mark Andaya]] ([[Pasig Pirates]]) || |}

==Notable events==

===Events=== * 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 == 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)|Fox Sports Philippines]] started broadcasting games this season. The league also began streaming all of its games on its official [[Facebook]] page.

==References== {{Reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:2018-19 MPBL season}} [[Category:2018–19 MPBL season| ]] [[Category:2018–19 in Philippine basketball leagues]]