2019–20 MPBL season

{{Short description|3rd season of the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League}} {{Use Philippine English|date=February 2023}} {{Use mdy dates|date=February 2023}} {{Infobox sports season | title = 2019–20 MPBL season | league = [[Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League]] | sport = [[Basketball]] | logo = MPBL_Lakan_Season_Logo.png | pixels = | caption = | duration = '''Regular season:''' June 12, 2019 – February 12, 2020 '''Playoffs:''' February 15 – March 11, 2020 (before suspension) March 10–16, 2021 (resumption) '''Finals:''' March 17–21, 2021 | no_of_games = 464 (regular season) 35 (playoffs) | no_of_matches = | no_of_teams = 31 | attendance = | TV = [[ABS-CBN]] ([[ABS-CBN Sports and Action|S+A]], [[Liga (TV channel)|Liga]], [[A2Z (TV channel)|A2Z]], [[The Filipino Channel]], [[iWantTFC]]) [[Fox Sports (Southeast Asian TV network)|Fox Sports]] | season = Regular season | top_seed = [[San Juan Knights]] | MVP = [[John Wilson (basketball)|John Wilson]] ([[San Juan Knights|San Juan]]) | MVP_link = MPBL Most Valuable Player award | top_scorer = | top_scorer_link = | playoffs = Playoffs | playoffs_link = 2020–21 MPBL playoffs | conf1 = North Division | conf1_link = | conf1_champ = [[San Juan Knights]] | conf1_runner-up = [[Makati Super Crunch]] | conf2 = South Division | conf2_link = | conf2_champ = [[Davao Occidental Tigers]] | conf2_runner-up = [[Basilan Steel]] | finals = [[2021 MPBL finals|Finals]] | finals_champ = [[Davao Occidental Tigers]] | finals_runner-up = [[San Juan Knights]] | finals_MVP = [[Mark Yee]] (Davao Occidental) | 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 = 2018–19 MPBL season | prevseason_year = 2018–19 | altseason_link = | altseason_year = | nextseason_link = 2022 MPBL season | nextseason_year = 2022 }}

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.<ref name=":1">{{cite news |date=9 December 2021 |title=Chooks-to-Go MPBL officially turns pro |url=https://tiebreakertimes.com.ph/tbt/chooks-to-go-mpbl-officially-turns-pro/227180 |access-date=9 December 2021 |work=Tiebreaker Times}}</ref> 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.<ref name="suspension2">{{cite news |date=12 March 2020 |title=MPBL: Playoffs suspended indefinitely in wake of COVID-19 threat |work=ABS-CBN News |url=https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/03/12/20/coronavirus-threat-forces-mpbl-to-postpone-division-finals |access-date=13 March 2020}}</ref> Nearly one year later, the playoffs resumed on March 10, 2021 with a bubble in the Subic Bay Gymnasium in [[Subic, Zambales|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]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Murillo |first1=Michael Angelo |title=Davao Occidental claims MPBL Lakan championship |url=https://www.bworldonline.com/davao-occidental-claims-mpbl-lakan-championship/ |access-date=April 4, 2021 |work=Business World |date=March 21, 2021}}</ref>

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 ===

{|class="wikitable" |style="background:#CFFFCF; width:2em"| || Expansion team |- |style="background:#CFFFFF; width:2em"| || Team switched divisions |- |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="3" | [[Bulacan Kuyas]] || Bulacan Capitol Gymnasium || 5,000 |- | Baliwag Star Arena || 5,000 |- | style="background:#FFCFFF;" | Malolos Sports and Convention Center || style="background:#FFCFFF;" | 5,000 |- | [[Caloocan Supremos]] || [[Caloocan Sports Complex]] || 3,000 |- | [[Makati Super Crunch]] || style="background:#FFCFFF;" | [[Makati Coliseum]] || style="background:#FFCFFF;" | 12,000 |- | [[Manila Stars]] || [[San Andres Sports Complex]] || 3,000 |- | rowspan="2" style="background:#CFFFFF;" | [[Marikina Shoemasters]] || [[Marist School (Marikina)|Marist School Gymnasium]] || 2,500 |- | style="background:#FFCFFF;" | [[Marikina Sports Center]] || style="background:#FFCFFF;" | 7,000 |- | [[Navotas Uni-Pak Sardines]] || Navotas Sports Complex || 1,000 |- | style="background:#CFFFCF;" | [[Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards]] || colspan="2" {{n/a|''No home games''}} |- | [[Pampanga Giant Lanterns]] || [[Angeles University Foundation|AUF Sports and Cultural Center]] || 3,000 |- | style="background:#CFFFFF;" | [[Parañaque Patriots]] || [[Olivarez College|Olivarez College Gymnasium]] || 3,500 |- | [[Pasay Voyagers]] || [[Cuneta Astrodome]] || 12,000 |- | [[Pasig Sta. Lucia Realtors]] || Pasig Sports Center || 2,500 |- | rowspan="2" | [[Quezon City Capitals]] || [[Blue Eagle Gym]] || 7,500 |- | JCSGO Seed Dome || 1,000 |- | style="background:#CFFFFF;" | [[Rizal Golden Coolers]] || [[Ynares Center]] || 7,400 |- | [[San Juan Knights]] || [[Filoil Flying V Centre]] || 5,500 |- | [[Valenzuela Classic|Val City Carga Backload Solution]] || Valenzuela Astrodome || 3,000 |- ! colspan="3" style="background:#C8102E;" |South Division |- | style="background:#CFFFCF;" | [[Bacolod Master Sardines]] || style="background:#FFCFFF;" | [[La Salle Coliseum]] || style="background:#FFCFFF;" | 8,000 |- | [[Bacoor City Strikers]] || Strike Gymansium || 1,500 |- | [[Basilan Steel]] || Lamitan Capitol Gymansium || 3,000 |- | rowspan="2" | [[Batangas City Athletics]] || Batangas City Sports Coliseum || 4,000 |- | [[Batangas State University|Batangas State University Gymnasium]] || 2,500 |- | rowspan="2" style="background:#CFFFCF;" | [[Bicol Volcanoes]] || style="background:#FFCFFF;" | Ibalong Centrum for Recreation || style="background:#FFCFFF;" | 8,000 |- | style="background:#FFCFFF;" | Albay Astrodome || style="background:#FFCFFF;" | 8,000 |- | rowspan="2" | [[Biñan City Heroes|Biñan City Luxxe White]] || [[Alonte Sports Arena]] || 6,500 |- | style="background:#FFCFFF;" | [[Santa Rosa Sports Complex]] || style="background:#FFCFFF;" | 5,700 |- | rowspan="2" | [[Cebu Casino Ethyl Alcohol]] || [[Hoops Dome]] || 6,500 |- | style="background:#FFCFFF;" | [[Southwestern University (Philippines)|Aznar Coliseum]] || style="background:#FFCFFF;" | 7,000 |- | rowspan="4" | [[Davao Occidental Tigers]] || Rizal Memorial Colleges Gymnasium || 2,000 |- | style="background:#FFCFFF;" | [[Davao City Recreation Center]] || style="background:#FFCFFF;" | 2,500 |- | [[University of Southeastern Philippines|USeP Gymnasium and Cultural Center]] || 6,000 |- | style="background:#FFCFFF;" | [[Davao del Norte Sports Complex#Facilities|RDR Gymnasium]] || style="background:#FFCFFF;" | N/A |- | [[GenSan Warriors]] || Lagao Gymnasium || 6,000 |- | rowspan="2" style="background:#CFFFCF;" | [[Iloilo United Royals]] || style="background:#FFCFFF;" | [[University of San Agustin|University of San Agustin Gymnasium]] || style="background:#FFCFFF;" | 5,000 |- | style="background:#FFCFFF;" | Passi City Arena || style="background:#FFCFFF;" | 2,000 |- | [[Imus Bandera]] || Imus City Sports Complex || 1,000 |- | style="background:#CFFFCF;" | [[Mindoro Tamaraws]] || colspan="2" {{n/a|''No home games''}} |- | [[Muntinlupa Cagers]] || Muntinlupa Sports Center || 3,000 |- | style="background:#CFFFCF;" | [[Sarangani Marlins]] || style="background:#FFCFFF;" | Sarangani Capitol Gymnasium || style="background:#FFCFFF;" | N/A |- | [[Zamboanga Family's Brand Sardines]] || Mayor Vitaliano D. Agan Coliseum || 12,000 |- ! colspan="3" style="background:#CFCFCF;" |Neutral |- | {{n/a|Opening ceremonies}} || [[SM Mall of Asia Arena]] || 15,000 |- | {{n/a|All-Star Game}} || [[SM Mall of Asia Arena]] || 15,000 |- | rowspan="2" {{n/a|International Invasion}} || style="background:#FFCFFF;" | [[Hamdan Sports Complex]] || style="background:#FFCFFF;" | 15,000 |- | style="background:#FFCFFF;" | [[Winsport Arena]] || style="background:#FFCFFF;" | N/A |- | {{n/a|Mindanao Invasion}} || style="background:#FFCFFF;" | El Salvador City Gymnasium || style="background:#FFCFFF;" | N/A |- | {{n/a|[[2020–21 MPBL playoffs]]}} || style="background:#FFCFFF;" | Subic Bay Gymnasium || style="background:#FFCFFF;" | N/A{{ref|1a|1}} |} ; Notes # {{Note|1a}} During the latter part of the [[2020–21 MPBL playoffs]], all playoff games at the Subic Bay Gymnasium were held [[behind closed doors (sport)|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|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 '''[[Laguna Heroes|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 '''[[Valenzuela Classic|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===

{| class="wikitable" |- !colspan="3"|Off-season |- !Team !Outgoing coach !Incoming coach |- |[[Bataan Risers]] |[[Jojo Lastimosa]] |[[Jong Uichico]] |- |[[Batangas City Athletics]] |Mac Tan |[[Goldwin Monteverde|Goldwyn Monteverde]] |- |[[Bacoor Strikers]] |[[Leo Issac]] |[[Chris Gavina]] |- |[[Imus Bandera|Imus Khaleb Shawarma]] |Mike Orquillas |[[Jonathan Reyes|Budds Reyes]] |- |[[Manila Stars]] |[[Philip Cezar]] |Tino Pinat |- |[[Muntinlupa Cagers]] |Jack Azcueta |Richie Melencio |- |[[Parañaque Patriots]] |Monel Kallos |Michael Saguiguit |- |[[Pasay Voyagers]] |Cholo Martin |Marlon Martin |- |[[Pasig Sta. Lucia Realtors]] |Ronjay Enrile |Bong Dela Cruz |- |[[Rizal Crusaders|Rizal Golden Coolers]] |Braulio Lim Jr. |[[Jayvee Gayoso]] |- |[[Valenzuela Classic|Valenzuela SPVTOP Marketplace]] |Juven Formacil |[[Gerry Esplana]] |- !colspan="3"|Mid-season |- !Team !Outgoing coach !Incoming coach |- |[[Bataan Risers|1Bataan Risers]] |[[Jong Uichico]] |Jonas Villanueva |- |[[Batangas City Athletics]] |[[Goldwyn Monteverde]] |Woody Co |- |[[Laguna Heroes|Binan City Luxxe White]] |Alex Angeles |Dennis Miranda |- |[[Bulacan Kuyas]] |Britt Reroma |Kerwin McCoy |- |[[Cebu Casino Ethyl Alcohol]] |Titing Manalili |Noynoy Falcasantos |- |[[Imus Bandera|Imus Bandera - Luxxe Slim]] |[[Budds Reyes|Buddz Reyes]] Mac Cuan Eugene Tan |Mac Cuan Eugene Tan Raymund Valenzona |- |[[GenSan Warriors]] |Jesus Ramon Pido |[[Rich Alvarez]] |- |[[Makati Super Crunch]] |[[Pocholo Villanueva]] |Beaujing Acot |- |[[Mindoro Tamaraws]] |Bengie Teodoro |Justin Tan |- |[[Muntinlupa Cagers]] |Richie Melencio Dave Moralde |Dave Moralde Bonnie Garcia |- |[[Nueva Ecija ForestLake|Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards]] |Eric Gascon Alvin Grey |Alvin Grey [[Charles Tiu]] |- |[[Quezon City Capitals]] |Vis Valencia |[[Christian Coronel]] |- |[[Zamboanga Family's Brand Sardines]] |Raymund Valenzona Bai Cristobal |Bai Cristobal Britt Reroma |- |[[Soccsksargen Marlins|Sarangani Marlins]] |Biboy Simon Bong Melocoton |Bong Melocoton Manuel Torralba |- |[[Valenzuela Classic|Val City - Carga Backload Solution]] |[[Gerry Esplana]] |Ronjay 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.<ref>{{Cite web |title=MPBL raises limit on Fil-foreigners to two, ex-pros to seven per team |url=https://www.spin.ph/basketball/mpbl-increases-limit-on-fil-foreigners-to-two-ex-pros-to-seven-per-team-a1373-20190517 |access-date=2023-08-03 |website=Spin.ph |language=en}}</ref> * 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]].<ref>{{cite news |title=MPBL opens newest, biggest season Wednesday at MOA Arena |url=https://sports.abs-cbn.com/mpbl/news/2019/06/12/mpbl-opens-newest-biggest-season-wednesday-moa-arena-57709 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190612123020/https://sports.abs-cbn.com/mpbl/news/2019/06/12/mpbl-opens-newest-biggest-season-wednesday-moa-arena-57709 |url-status=dead |archive-date=June 12, 2019 |access-date=June 29, 2019 |work=ABS-CBN Sports |date=June 12, 2019}}</ref> Some teams had a muse to represent the team, who are as follows:

{| class="wikitable sortable" ! Team ! Muse |- | [[Basilan Steel]] | [[Sharifa Akeel]] |- | [[Bataan Risers]] | Rolyn Angela Tungol |- | [[Batangas City Athletics]] | Jeanette Reyes |- | [[Davao Occidental Tigers]] | [[Vickie Rushton]] |- | [[GenSan Warriors]] | Pamela Sue |- | [[Manila Stars]] | [[Ahtisa Manalo (beauty queen)|Ahtisa Manalo]] |- | [[Marikina Shoemasters]] | [[Sophie Albert]] |- | [[Mindoro Tamaraws]] | Princess Legaspi |- | [[Navotas Clutch]] | Anne Tenorio |- | [[Pampanga Giant Lanterns]] | Zara Carbonell |- | [[Parañaque Patriots]] | Nikka Castro |- | [[Pasay Voyagers]] | Rachel May Libres |- | [[Pasig Sta. Lucia Realtors]] | Mikaela Gabrielle Bañares |- | [[Quezon City Capitals]] | [[Samantha Bernardo]] |- | [[Rizal Crusaders|Rizal Golden Coolers]] | Patricia Reyes |- | [[San Juan Knights]] | [[Nadine Lustre]] |- | [[Valenzuela Classic]] | Abby Dizor |- | [[Zamboanga Family's Brand Sardines]] | Joana 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.

{| class="wikitable" |- ! Date ! Teams ! Arena ! Location ! Ref. |- ! colspan="5" | MPBL Dubai Invasion |- | September 27, 2019 | [[Davao Occidental Tigers]] vs. [[Batangas City Athletics]] | rowspan="2" | [[Hamdan Sports Complex]] | rowspan="2" | [[Dubai]], [[United Arab Emirates]] |- | September 28, 2019 | [[Batangas City Athletics]] vs. [[Imus Bandera]] |- ! colspan="5" | MPBL Canada Invasion |- | December 27, 2019 | [[Zamboanga Family's Brand Sardines]] vs. [[Imus Bandera]] | [[Winsport Arena]] | [[Calgary|Calgary, Alberta]], [[Canada]] |<ref>{{Cite web |last=Malihan |first=Drew |date=December 28, 2019 |title=Pasaol leads Zamboanga over Imus in Canada |url=https://www.dugout.ph/2019/12/pasaol-leads-zamboanga-over-imus-in.html |access-date=2023-11-24 |website=Dugout Philippines}}</ref> |}

=== Standings ===

==== North Division ==== {{2019–20 MPBL Northern Division standings}}

==== South Division ==== {{2019–20 MPBL Southern Division standings}}

===Results=== {{#invoke:Sports results|main|team_header=Teams | source=[http://mpbl.web.geniussports.com/competitions/?WHurl=%2Fcompetition%2F24638%2Fschedule Schedule] | update= complete | matches_style=BSR | solid_cell=grey | ot_note=yes |font_size=90%

| team1=BCD | name_BCD=[[Bacolod Master Sardines|Bacolod]] | team2=BCR | name_BCR=[[Bacoor Strikers|Bacoor City]] | team3=BAS | name_BAS=[[Basilan Steel|Basilan]] | team4=BAN | name_BAN=[[Bataan Risers|Bataan]] | team5=BTG | name_BTG={{nowrap|[[Batangas City Athletics|Batangas City]]}} | team6=BCL | name_BCL=[[Bicol Volcanoes|Bicol]] | team7=BIÑ | name_BIÑ=[[Biñan City Heroes|Biñan City]] | team8=BUL | name_BUL=[[Bulacan Kuyas|Bulacan]] | team9=CAL | name_CAL=[[Caloocan Supremos|Caloocan]] | team10=CEB | name_CEB=[[Cebu Casino Ethyl Alcohol|Cebu]] | team11=DVO | name_DVO={{nowrap|[[Davao Occidental Tigers|Davao Occidental]]}} | team12=GS | name_GS =[[GenSan Warriors|General Santos]] | team13=ILO | name_ILO=[[Iloilo United Royals|Iloilo]] | team14=IMS | name_IMS=[[Imus Bandera|Imus]] | team15=MKT | name_MKT=[[Makati Super Crunch|Makati]] | team16=MNL | name_MNL=[[Manila Stars|Manila]] | team17=MAR | name_MAR=[[Marikina Shoemasters|Marikina]] | team18=MDR | name_MDR=[[Mindoro Tamaraws|Mindoro]] | team19=MUN | name_MUN=[[Muntinlupa Cagers|Muntinlupa]] | team20=NAV | name_NAV=[[Navotas Clutch|Navotas]] | team21=NE | name_NE =[[Nueva Ecija ForestLake|Nueva Ecija]] | team22=PAM | name_PAM=[[Pampanga Giant Lanterns|Pampanga]] | team23=PAR | name_PAR=[[Parañaque Patriots|Parañaque]] | team24=PSY | name_PSY=[[Pasay Voyagers|Pasay]] | team25=PSG | name_PSG=[[Pasig Sta. Lucia Realtors|Pasig]] | team26=QC | name_QC =[[Quezon City Capitals|Quezon City]] | team27=RZL | name_RZL=[[Rizal Crusaders|Rizal]] | team28=SJ | name_SJ =[[San Juan Knights|San Juan]] | team29=SAR | name_SAR=[[Sarangani Marlins|Sarangani]] | team30=VAL | name_VAL=[[Valenzuela Classic|Valenzuela]] | team31=ZAM | name_ZAM=[[Zamboanga Family's Brand Sardines|Zamboanga]]

| match_NAV_NE =125–97 | match_NAV_PAM=74-83 | match_NAV_PAR=71–82 | match_NAV_PSG=100-107 | match_NAV_PSY=68–70 | match_NAV_QC =97-98* | result_NAV_QC =OT | match_NAV_RZL={{null}} |match_NAV_RZL_note=The Navotas–Rizal game was stopped at halftime for player safety. The game was not resumed due to it having no effect on playoff standings. Final score was 56–39 in favor of Rizal. | match_NAV_SJ =95-112 | match_NAV_SAR=88-82 | match_NAV_VAL=88-83 | match_NAV_ZAM=65-80

| match_RZL_SJ =86–101 | match_RZL_SAR=77-73 | match_RZL_VAL=77-81 | match_RZL_ZAM=76–95

| match_SJ_SAR=100–77 | match_SJ_VAL=78-68 | match_SJ_ZAM=64-69

| match_SAR_VAL=84-89 | match_SAR_ZAM=75-100

| match_VAL_ZAM=78-85 }} 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|2020–21 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|legs=3}} {{ThreeLegResult|'''(1) [[San Juan Knights]]''' || 2–0 | (8) [[Pasay Voyagers]] || '''75'''–74 | '''74'''–67 | —}} {{ThreeLegResult|'''(2) [[Manila Stars]]''' || 2–0 | {{nowrap|(7) [[Pasig Sta. Lucia Realtors]]}} || '''91'''–88 | '''82'''–80 | —}} {{ThreeLegResult|'''(3) [[Makati Super Crunch]]''' || 2–0 | (6) [[Bulacan Kuyas]] || '''94'''–88 | '''86'''–78 | —}} {{ThreeLegResult|{{nowrap|'''(4) [[Pampanga Giant Lanterns]]'''}} || 2–0 | (5) [[Bataan Risers]] || '''71'''–64 | '''83'''–80 | —}} |}

==== South Division first round ====

{{ThreeLegStart|legs=3}} {{ThreeLegResult|{{nowrap|'''(1) [[Davao Occidental Tigers]]'''}} || 2–1 | (8) [[Bicol Volcanoes]] || '''77'''–71 | 81–'''84''' | '''64'''–56 {{(OT)}}}} {{ThreeLegResult|'''(2) [[Bacoor City Strikers]]''' || 2–0 | (7) [[GenSan Warriors]] || '''95'''–72 | '''69'''–60 | —}} {{ThreeLegResult|'''(3) [[Basilan Steel]]''' || 2–0 | (6) [[Iloilo United Royals]] || '''83'''–68 | '''70'''–63 | —}} {{ThreeLegResult|(4) [[Batangas City Athletics]] || 1–2 | {{nowrap|'''(5) [[Zamboanga Family's Brand Sardines]]'''}} || 74–'''78''' | '''84'''–75 | 52–'''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 Knights|San Juan]] advancing after game 2, [[Manila Stars|Manila]] instead hosted game 3.

{{ThreeLegStart|legs=3}} {{ThreeLegResult|{{nowrap|'''(1) [[San Juan Knights]]'''}} || 2–0 | (4) [[Pampanga Giant Lanterns]] || '''86'''–84 | '''91'''–83 | —}} {{ThreeLegResult|(2) [[Manila Stars]] || 1–2 | {{nowrap|'''(3) [[Makati Super Crunch]]'''}} || '''77'''–74 | 59–'''75''' | 75–'''78''' {{(OT)}}}} |}

==== South Division semifinals ====

{{ThreeLegStart|legs=3}} {{ThreeLegResult|{{nowrap|'''(1) [[Davao Occidental Tigers]]'''}} || 2–0 | {{nowrap|(5) [[Zamboanga Family's Brand Sardines]]}} || '''47'''–28 | '''62'''–58 | —}} {{ThreeLegResult|(2) [[Bacoor City Strikers]] || 1–2 | '''(3) [[Basilan Steel]]''' || 63–'''77''' | '''80'''–69 | 76–'''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 in the Philippines|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 Knights|San Juan]] ended up hosting games 1 and 2, the latter being held [[Behind closed doors (sport)|behind closed doors]]. Game 3 was held at a neutral site in the Subic Bay Gymnasium.

{{ThreeLegStart|legs=3}} {{ThreeLegResult|'''(1) [[San Juan Knights]]''' || 2–1 | (3) [[Makati Super Crunch]] || '''76'''–60 | 88–'''91''' | '''131'''–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 Tigers|Davao Occidental]] as the Tigers advanced to the MPBL finals.

{{ThreeLegStart|legs=3}} {{ThreeLegResult|'''(1) [[Davao Occidental Tigers]]''' || 2–1 | (3) [[Basilan Steel]] || 72–'''74''' | '''81'''–76 | '''2'''–0 (default)}} |}

===MPBL finals === {{Main|2021 MPBL finals}} Neither team had homecourt advantage due to all games being held at the Subic Bay Gymnasium.

{{ThreeLegStart|legs=5}} {{ThreeLegResult|(N1) [[San Juan Knights]] || 1–3 | '''(S1) [[Davao Occidental Tigers]]''' || 75–'''77''' {{(OT)}} | '''70'''–65 | 58–'''66''' | 88–'''89''' {{(OT)}} | —}} |}

==All-Star Game== {{Infobox basketball game | name = 2020 MPBL All-Star Game | image = | visitor = North All-Stars | home = '''South All-Stars''' | visitor_total = 122 | visitor_per1 = 23 | visitor_per2 = 28 | visitor_per3 = 28 | visitor_per4 = 33 | visitor_OT = 10 | team1_coach = [[Randy Alcantara]] {{small|([[San Juan Knights]])}} | home_total = 126 | home_per1 = 28 | home_per2 = 23 | home_per3 = 29 | home_per4 = 32 | home_OT = 14 | team2_coach = [[Don Dulay]] {{small|([[Davao Occidental Tigers]])}} | date = February 13, 2020 | arena = [[SM Mall of Asia Arena]] | city = [[Pasay]] | MVP = [[Jeff Viernes]] | attendance = | network = | previous = [[2019 MPBL All-Star Game|2019]] | next = [[2022 MPBL All-Star Game|2022]] }}

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 [[2019 MPBL All-Star Game|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 [[MPBL All-Star Game Most Valuable Player award|All-Star Game MVP]] for the second time in a row.<ref>{{cite news |title=Jeff Viernes named MVP as South wins in OT in MPBL All-Star game |url=https://www.spin.ph/basketball/jeff-viernes-named-mvp-as-south-wins-in-ot-in-mpbl-all-star-game-a2437-20200214 |accessdate=October 3, 2022 |work=spin.ph |date=February 14, 2020}}</ref>

===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]].

{{col-begin}} {{col-2}} {|class="wikitable" |+ North All-Stars ! Pos ! Player ! Team ! No. of selections |- !scope="col" colspan="4"|Starters |- | | Alfred Batino | [[Bataan Risers]] | align=center | 1 |- | | [[Aris Dionisio]] | [[Manila Stars]] | align=center | 2 |- | | [[Michael Juico]] | [[Pampanga Giant Lanterns]] | align=center | 1 |- | | [[Jai Reyes]] | [[Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards]] | align=center | 1 |- | | [[John Wilson (basketball)|John Wilson]] | [[San Juan Knights]] | align=center | 1 |- !scope="col" colspan="4"|Reserves |- | | Cedric Ablaza | [[Makati Super Crunch]] | align=center | 2 |- | | Mark Benitez | [[Rizal Golden Coolers]] | align=center | 1 |- | | Clark Derige | [[Quezon City Capitals]] | align=center | 1 |- | | [[Paulo Hubalde]] | [[Valenzuela Classic|Val City Carga Backload Solution]] | align=center | 2 |- | | Dhon Reverente | [[Pasay Voyagers]] | align=center | 1 |- | | Paul Sanga | [[Caloocan Supremos]] | align=center | 1 |- | | Jayboy Solis | [[Parañaque Patriots]] | align=center | 1 |- | | [[Jay-R Taganas]] | [[Bulacan Kuyas]] | align=center | 2 |- | | Marwin Taywan | [[Navotas Uni-Pak Sardines]] | align=center | 1 |- | | [[Jeric Teng]] | [[Pasig Sta. Lucia Realtors]] | align=center | 1 |- | | [[Ato Ular]] | [[Marikina Shoemasters]] | align=center | 1 |- | colspan="4" |'''Head coach''': Randy Alcantara ([[San Juan Knights]]) |} {{col-2}} {|class="wikitable" |+ South All-Stars ! Pos ! Player ! Team ! No. of selections |- !scope="col" colspan="4"|Starters |- | | [[Gab Banal]] | [[Bacoor City Strikers]] | align=center | 2 |- | | Allyn Bulanadi | [[Basilan Steel]] | align=center | 1 |- | | [[Will McAloney]] | [[Cebu Casino Ethyl Alcohol]] | align=center | 1 |- | | [[Jeff Viernes]] | [[Batangas City Athletics]] | align=center | 2 |- | | [[Mark Yee]] | [[Davao Occidental Tigers]] | align=center | 2 |- !scope="col" colspan="4"|Reserves |- | | [[Gerald Anderson]] | [[Imus Bandera]] | align=center | 2 |- | | [[Ronjay Buenafe]] | [[Bicol Volcanoes]] | align=center | 1 |- | | [[Robby Celiz]] | [[GenSan Warriors]] | align=center | 1 |- | | Richard Escoto | [[Iloilo United Royals]] | align=center | 1 |- | | Pao Javelona | [[Bacolod Master Sardines]] | align=center | 1 |- | | Pari Llagas | [[Sarangani Marlins]] | align=center | 1 |- | | Allan Mangahas | [[Biñan City Heroes|Biñan City Luxxe White]] | align=center | 1 |- | | [[Alvin Pasaol]] | [[Zamboanga Family's Brand Sardines]] | align=center | 1 |- | | Rodel Vaygan | [[Mindoro Tamaraws]] | align=center | 1 |- | | GJ Ylagan | [[Muntinlupa Cagers]] | align=center | 1 |- | colspan="4" |'''Head coach''': [[Don Dulay]] ([[Davao Occidental]]) |} {{col-end}}

=== Game === {{basketballbox | bg = | date = February 13 | time = | report = | teamA = North All-Stars | scoreA = 122 | teamB = '''South All-Stars''' | scoreB = '''126''' | overtime = OT | Q1 = 23–'''28''' | Q2 = '''28'''–23 | Q3 = 28–'''29''' | Q4 = '''33'''–32 | OT = 10–'''14''' | points1 = Michael Juico 23 | rebounds1 = | assist1 = | otherstat1 = | points2 = [[Jeff Viernes]] 28 | 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, a series of pre-game events were held. Returning events include the executives' Game, Three-Point Shootout and the Slam Dunk Contest. * '''Three-Point Shootout Champion:''' Lester Alvarez ([[Bulacan Kuyas]]) * '''Slam Dunk Contest Champion:''' David Carlos ([[Makati Super Crunch]])

== 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.<ref name="suspension2"/> 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.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Giongco |first1=Mark |date=6 March 2021 |title=MPBL set to resume division finals on March 10 |work=Inquirer.net |url=https://sports.inquirer.net/417271/mpbl-set-to-resume-division-finals-on-march-10 |access-date=6 March 2021}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Tupas |first1=Cedelf |date=1 June 2020 |title=MPBL cancels 2020-2021 season |newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer |url=https://sports.inquirer.net/395475/mpbl-cancels-2020-2021-season |access-date=2 June 2020}}</ref>

== Statistics == {{Empty section|date=October 2023}}

== Awards ==

=== Individual season awards === Most of the league's individual awards were given out before game 4 of the [[2021 MPBL finals|national finals]] at the Subic Bay Gymnasium.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Dioquino |first=Delfin |url=https://www.rappler.com/sports/john-wilson-crowned-mpbl-mvp/ |title=John Wilson crowned MPBL MVP |date=March 21, 2021 |work=Rappler |access-date=March 21, 2021}}</ref> The [[MPBL Finals Most Valuable Player award|Finals Most Valuable Player]] and Coach of the Year were awarded at the conclusion of the series.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Terrado |first=Reuben |date=March 21, 2021 |title=Still going strong at 39, Game 4 hero Mark Yee named Finals MVP |url=https://www.spin.ph/basketball/still-going-strong-at-39-game-4-hero-mark-yee-named-finals-mvp-a795-20210321 |access-date=March 21, 2021 |website=Sports Interactive Network}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable" |+ ! Award ! Recipient ! Team |- | '''[[MPBL Most Valuable Player award|Most Valuable Player]]''' | [[John Wilson (basketball)|John Wilson]] | [[San Juan Knights]] |- | '''[[MPBL Finals Most Valuable Player award|Finals Most Valuable Player]]''' | [[Mark Yee]] | [[Davao Occidental Tigers]] |- | '''[[MPBL Defensive Player of the Year award|Defensive Player of the Year]]''' | [[Mark Yee]] | [[Davao Occidental Tigers]] |- | '''[[MPBL Sportsmanship award|Sportsmanship award]]''' | Billy Ray Robles | [[Davao Occidental Tigers]] |}

=== [[All-MPBL Team|All-MPBL teams]] === {| border=0 |- valign="top" | {| class="wikitable" ! colspan="2" | All-MPBL First Team |- ! Player ! Team |- | [[John Wilson (basketball)|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 Crunch]] |} | style="padding-left:40px;" | {| class="wikitable" ! colspan="2" | All-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]] |} |}

=== Players of the Week === {{Update section|date=July 2024}}

{| class="wikitable" ! Week !! Player !! Ref. |- | align=center | June 12−15, 2019 || [[Mark Cruz]] ([[Pampanga Giant Lanterns]]) || |- | align=center | June 17−22, 2019 || [[Aris Dionisio]] ([[Manila Stars]]) || |- | align=center | June 24−29, 2019 || [[Aaron Black (basketball)|Aaron Black]] ([[Quezon City Capitals]]) || |- | align=center | July 1–6, 2019 || Allan Mangahas ([[Biñan City Heroes]]) || |- | align=center | July 8–13, 2019 || || |- | align=center | July 15–20, 2019 || [[Mark Yee]] ([[Davao Occidental Tigers]]) || |- | align=center | July 22–27, 2019 || || |- | align=center | July 29 – August 3, 2019 || Edzel Mag-isa ([[Muntinlupa Cagers]]) || |- | align=center | August 5–10, 2019 || [[Jeric Teng]] ([[Pasig Sta. Lucia Realtors]]) || <ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-08-13 |title=Not chosen as Best Player of the Game in Pasig's previous win, its fifth straight in the MPBL Lakan Season, Jeric Teng has been selected as the MPBL Player of the Week with a record-setting performance |url=https://www.facebook.com/mpblofficialph/posts/pfbid02Hcr46eHrhNkjegioiLoVyG8JacoPS9Zmp2uxytnzwJHbgmVDgtBC85Ndyq7U6gkVl |access-date=2024-07-23 |publisher=Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League |via=[[Facebook]]}}</ref> |- | align=center | August 12–17, 2019 || || |- | align=center | August 19–24, 2019 || || |- | align=center | August 26–31, 2019 || || |- | align=center | September 2–7, 2019 || Michael Juico ([[Pampanga Giant Lanterns]]) || |- | align=center | September 9–14, 2019 || || |- | align=center | September 16–21, 2019 || || |- | align=center | September 23–28, 2019 || || |- | align=center | September 30 – October 5, 2019 || || |- | align=center | October 7–12, 2019 || RJ Ramirez ([[Bacoor City Strikers]]) || <ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-10-14 |title=Mr. Perfect Ramirez earns Player of the Week |url=https://www.facebook.com/mpblofficialph/posts/pfbid0Z6SnqbMgQ4BZ3A27t7kDSEdRdEwitUti1Mtj6KChKFGgLxvFjuGB2DHxxamGkojFl |access-date=2024-07-23 |publisher=Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League |via=[[Facebook]]}}</ref> |}

== 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.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Garcia |first=Ma. Angelica |date=2019-11-04 |title=MPBL's SOCCSKSARGEN Marlins suspended over alleged game-fixing |url=https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/sports/basketball/714180/mpbl-rsquo-s-soccsksargen-marlins-suspended-over-alleged-game-fixing/story/ |access-date=2023-09-20 |website=GMA News Online |language=en}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Damicog |first=Jeffrey |title=DOJ to indict 17 persons in 2019 MPBL 'game-fixing' |url=https://mb.com.ph/2021/04/16/doj-to-indict-17-persons-in-2019-mpbl-game-fixing/ |access-date=2023-09-20 |website=Manila Bulletin |language=en}}</ref>

== Records and milestones ==

=== Milestones === * January 11, 2020 – [[John Wilson (basketball)|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 (TV channel)|Liga]], and [[The Filipino Channel]], while [[iWantTFC]] served as the network's international streaming platform. [[A2Z (Philippine TV channel)|A2Z]] also broadcast the bubble games of the 2020–21 playoffs. The network's broadcast rights came to an end after the [[ABS-CBN franchise renewal controversy|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.

[[Intercontinental Broadcasting Corporation|IBC]] and [[TAP DMV]] would take over the television rights in the [[2021 MPBL Invitational|2021 Invitational]], while [[Cignal TV]] acquired the rights beginning with the succeeding [[2022 MPBL season|2022 season]].

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

== References == {{Reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:2019-20 MPBL season}} [[Category:2019–20 MPBL season| ]] [[Category:Basketball events postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic|MPBL season]] [[Category:2019–20 in Philippine basketball leagues]]