Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League

{{Short description|Men's professional basketball league in the Philippines}} {{Use mdy dates|date=November 2021}} {{Use Philippine English|date=January 2023}} {{Infobox sports league | title = Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League | current_season = 2026 MPBL season | last_season = | upcoming_season = | logo = Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League 2022.png | logo_size = 180px | sport = Basketball | founded = {{start date and age|2017|08|29}} | founder = [[Manny Pacquiao]] | inaugural = [[2018 MPBL season|2018]] | coo = [[Kenneth Duremdes]] | commissioner = [[Emmerson Oreta]] | motto = ''Ang Liga Ng Bawat Pilipino'' (The League of Every Filipino) | teams = 28 | country = [[Philippines]] | headquarters = [[Pasig]] | continent = [[FIBA Asia]] ([[Asia]]) | champion = {{nowrap|[[Abra Solid North Weavers]] {{small|(1st title)}}}} | most_champs = [[Pampanga Giant Lanterns]] {{small|(2 titles)}} | TV = [[Solar Sports]] [[TAP Sports]] MPBL ([[Facebook]], [[YouTube]]) | website = https://mpbl.com.ph/ }}

The '''Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League''' ('''MPBL''') is a men's regional professional [[basketball]] league in the [[Philippines]]. As of the [[2026 MPBL season|2026 season]], the league is composed of 28 teams.

The MPBL was founded in 2017 by eight-division boxing world champion and then-Senator [[Manny Pacquiao]] to allow local players to take part in competitive basketball. The league is often referred to as a "regional league" due to its location-based format with home and away games. The league gained professional status in 2022.

Over time, the MPBL has attracted multiple prospects from the collegiate level who would go on to play in top-flight leagues such as the [[Philippine Basketball Association]] (PBA). The success of the league has also led to multiple spin-off leagues under the [[Maharlika Pilipinas (disambiguation)|Maharlika Pilipinas]] banner.

The [[Abra Solid North Weavers]] are the current defending champions, beating the [[Quezon Huskers]] in three games during the [[2025 MPBL finals]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.spin.ph/basketball/mpbl/abra-weavers-cap-record-mpbl-season-with-finals-sweep-of-quezon-a1373-20251216 |title=Abra Weavers cap record MPBL season with finals sweep of Quezon |work=spin.ph |date=December 16, 2025 |access-date=December 17, 2025}}</ref> The [[Pampanga Giant Lanterns]] are currently the only team to win multiple championships, during so in [[2023 MPBL finals|2023]] and [[2024 MPBL finals|2024]].

== History ==

=== Background === Prior to the MPBL, the concept of a Philippine sports league using a home and away format had been done multiple times before. The most notable of these leagues was the [[Metropolitan Basketball Association]] of the late 1990s and early 2000s, which served as a direct competitor to the top-flight [[Philippine Basketball Association]]. High expenses and lack of funding led to the MBA ceasing operations in 2002.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Velasco |first=Bill |date=August 25, 2014 |title=Remembering the MBA |url=https://www.philstar.com/sports/2014/08/25/1361506/remembering-mba |access-date=2024-08-23 |website=Philstar.com}}</ref> There was also [[Liga Pilipinas]], formed by the merger of the Mindanao Visayas Basketball Association and [[National Basketball Conference]]. The league was part of a merger with the [[Philippine Basketball League]] to form the [[PBA D-League|PBA's upcoming developmental league]], but the plan fell through and the D-League launched independently.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Joble |first1=Rey |title=PBA's D-League plan gets solid backing |url=https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/sports/content/205765/pba-s-d-league-plan-gets-solid-backing/story/ |website=[[GMA News]] |access-date=2026-04-04 |date=2010-11-11}}</ref>

[[Manny Pacquiao]] has pursued a professional basketball career for a few years, having played in and coached for the [[Terrafirma Dyip|Kia/Mahindra franchise]] in the PBA. After his PBA career, he formally launched the MPBL on August 29, 2017, with the intent to feature both the commercial and [[barangay]]-level side, with teams on the commercial side to have a home locality in addition to a corporate sponsor.<ref name="launches">{{cite news|last1=Del Rosario|first1=Paolo|date=29 August 2017|title=Senator Manny Pacquiao launches new basketball league|language=en, fil|work=CNN Philippines|url=http://cnnphilippines.com/sports/2017/08/29/Manny-Pacquiao-Maharlika-Pilipinas-Basketball-League.html|access-date=23 January 2018|archive-date=June 5, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230605144142/http://www.cnnphilippines.com/sports/2017/08/29/Manny-Pacquiao-Maharlika-Pilipinas-Basketball-League.html|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|date=13 June 2018|title=From humble origins in GenSan, Manny Pacquiao's MPBL is now a nation-wide league|work=ABS-CBN Sports|url=https://sports.abs-cbn.com/basketball/news/2018/06/13/from-humble-origins-gensan-mpbl-now-nation-wide-league-42890|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180616154051/https://sports.abs-cbn.com/basketball/news/2018/06/13/from-humble-origins-gensan-mpbl-now-nation-wide-league-42890|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 16, 2018|access-date=16 June 2018|quote=nd as the semi-professional league continues to grow, it's amazing to think that it all started with a ‘pa-liga’ in General Santos City.}}</ref> The plan was for the league to begin with [[Luzon]]-based teams only and then expand to [[Visayas]] and [[Mindanao]] later on. The expanded league would have two divisions, North and South, where one team from both divisions face in a finals series similar to the format of the [[National Basketball Association]] (NBA) in [[North America]].<ref name="wontcompetePBA">{{cite news|last1=Henson|first1=Joaquin|date=3 September 2017|title=MPBL won't compete with PBA|work=The Philippine Star|url=http://www.philstar.com/sports/2017/09/03/1735332/mpbl-wont-compete-pba|access-date=23 January 2018}}</ref> The league was planned to start as early as September 23, 2017 with at least six teams.<ref name="abscbn">{{cite news|last1=Lintag|first1=Paul|date=29 August 2017|title=Home-and-away games make grand return through Maharlika Pilipinas|work=ABS-CBN Sports|url=https://sports.abs-cbn.com/basketball/news/2017/08/29/home-away-games-return-maharlika-pilipinas-30323|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170831151236/http://sports.abs-cbn.com/basketball/news/2017/08/29/home-away-games-return-maharlika-pilipinas-30323|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 31, 2017|access-date=23 January 2018}}</ref> A preseason tournament was held with the [[Bulacan Kuyas]] finishing as champions.<ref>{{cite news|date=12 January 2018|title=ABS-CBN S+A is the official broadcaster of the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League|url=https://sports.abs-cbn.com/sportsandaction/news/2018/01/12/abs-cbn-s-a-official-broadcaster-mpbl-35990|access-date=26 January 2018}}{{dead link|date=August 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> [[Snow Badua]] was the league's inaugural commissioner, but he did not take on the role when the first season eventually began as six-time PBA champion [[Kenneth Duremdes]] succeeded Badua as league commissioner on November 22, 2017.

=== 2018–2020: Amateur era === {{Multiple image | perrow = 2 | total_width = 400 | image1 = Araneta Coliseum (Araneta Center, Cubao, Quezon City)(2017-08-13).jpg | image2 = Mayor Vitaliano D. Agan (Zamboanga City) Coliseum during MPBL game.jpg | footer = The [[Smart Araneta Coliseum]] (left) served as the venue for the league's inaugural gameday on January 25, 2018. The [[Mayor Vitaliano D. Agan Coliseum]] (right) is home to the [[Zamboanga Sikat]], one of sixteen teams that joined during the league's national expansion. }}

The MPBL began its [[2018 MPBL season|inaugural season]] on January 25, 2018, at the [[Smart Araneta Coliseum]] in [[Quezon City]]. The inaugural season featured ten teams, all based in Luzon, with the requirement of each team having three homegrown players.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Leongson|first1=Randolph|date=22 January 2018|title=Maharlika basketball league tips off Thursday with 10 teams at Big Dome|newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer|url=http://sports.inquirer.net/280573/maharlika-basketball-league-tips-off-thursday-with-10-teams-at-big-dome|access-date=23 January 2018}}</ref><ref name="tanduay-1">{{cite news|last1=Nicolas|first1=Jino|date=8 February 2018|title=Tanduay Athletics locked in for grassroots basketball|work=BusinessWorld|url=https://www.bworldonline.com/tanduay-athletics-locked-grassroots-basketball/|access-date=11 November 2021}}</ref> In the opening game, the [[Parañaque Patriots]] scored a 70–60 victory over the [[Caloocan Supremos]].<ref name="dreamleague">{{cite news|last1=Leongson|first1=Randolph|title=Pacquiao's dream league comes to reality; Parañaque wins|url=http://sports.inquirer.net/281147/pacquiaos-dream-league-comes-reality-paranaque-wins|access-date=26 January 2018|work=Inquirer.net|date=25 January 2018}}</ref> The playoffs only had eight teams due to the small size, concluding with the [[Batangas City Athletics]] winning the inaugural title in the [[2018 MPBL finals|2018 finals]] against the [[Muntinlupa Cagers]].

In the [[2018–19 MPBL season|2018–19 season]], the league added sixteen expansion teams, bringing the total to 26 teams. Five of the sixteen expansions are based in Visayas and Mindanao, thus marking the league's national expansion.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Lagunzad|first1=Jerome|title=20 teams, so far, in MPBL|url=https://sports.mb.com.ph/2018/04/26/20-teams-so-far-in-mpbl/|access-date=April 26, 2018|agency=Manila Bulletin}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Luarca|first=Roy|date=2018-06-12|title=MPBL: Expansion teams, new faces and stars headline Datu Cup curtain-raiser|url=https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/06/12/18/mpbl-expansion-teams-new-faces-and-stars-headline-datu-cup-curtain-raiser|access-date=2024-01-12|website=ABS-CBN News}}</ref> The [[North Division (MPBL)|North]] and [[South Division (MPBL)|South]] Divisions were introduced and the playoff pool doubled to sixteen teams, eight per division.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Henson|first=Joaquin M.|title=Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League opens next joust June 12|url=https://www.philstar.com/sports/2018/04/11/1804767/maharlika-pilipinas-basketball-league-opens-next-joust-june-12|access-date=2024-01-07|website=Philstar.com}}</ref> The league also placed roster restrictions on teams, only allowing one Filipino-foreigner and up to five ex-professional players, intended to maintain parity and preserve the league's grassroots foundations. However, the classification of and restrictions on Filipino-foreigners was criticized by fans, coaches, and players, particularly other Filipino-foreigners including [[Rob Reyes]] and [[Abu Tratter]].<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=2023-05-14|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> The rule would later be relaxed in future seasons.<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><ref name=":5" /> The 2018–19 season also saw the inaugural edition of the [[MPBL All-Star Game]], which was held at the [[SM Mall of Asia Arena]] in [[Pasay]]. The [[San Juan Knights]] won the title that season against the [[Davao Occidental Tigers]] in the [[2019 MPBL finals|2019 national finals]], which is to date, the only series to go the full length of five games.

[[File:San Juan Knight player John Wilson (cropped).jpg|thumb|150px|upright|left|[[John Wilson (basketball)|John Wilson]] was a key player in [[San Juan Knights|San Juan]]'s 2019 championship run and, in 2020, became the first player in the league to score 1,000 points.<ref>{{cite news|title=John Wilson becomes first player to reach MPBL 1,000-point milestone|url=https://www.spin.ph/basketball/john-wilson-becomes-first-player-to-reach-mpbl-1-000-point-milestone-a1373-20200112|access-date=2 January 2025|work=Inquirer.net|date=12 January 2020}}</ref>]]

The following [[2019-20 MPBL season|2019–20 season]] featured 31 teams participating in the league, the most the league had in its history, adding six expansion teams but also saw its first departing team, the [[Mandaluyong El Tigre]]. Roster restrictions were also relaxed, allowing more Filipino-foreigners and ex-professional players to play in the league.<ref name="raises-limit-2019">{{cite news|date=17 May 2019|title=MPBL raises limit on Fil-foreigners to two, ex-pros to seven per team|work=Sports Interactive Network Philippines|url=https://www.spin.ph/basketball/mpbl-increases-limit-on-fil-foreigners-to-two-ex-pros-to-seven-per-team-a1373-20190517|access-date=11 November 2021}}</ref> This season also saw the debut of the International Invasion series, which saw games being played in the [[United Arab Emirates]] and in [[Canada]].

==== 2020–2021: COVID-19 disruption ==== Due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines]], the league suspended play on March 12, 2020. Nearly a year later, on March 6, 2021, the league announced the resumption of its playoffs. The remainder of the league's [[2020 MPBL playoffs|2020 playoffs]] was held at a [[Bio-secure bubble|bubble]] at the Subic Bay Gymnasium.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Giongco|first1=Mark|title=MPBL set to resume division finals on March 10|url=https://sports.inquirer.net/417271/mpbl-set-to-resume-division-finals-on-march-10|access-date=6 March 2021|work=Inquirer.net|date=6 March 2021}}</ref> In a rematch of the 2019 national finals series, the Davao Occidental Tigers won the [[2021 MPBL finals|2021 national finals]] against the San Juan Knights. Because of the restrictions imposed by the government due to the pandemic, the league's 2020–21 season would be cancelled. The league's fourth season would be postponed multiple times before it eventually began in 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><ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-11-17|title=MPBL reboots with packed Invitational|url=https://sports.inquirer.net/441961/mpbl-reboots-with-packed-invitational|access-date=2023-06-07|website=INQUIRER.net|language=en}}</ref> In October 2021, Chooks-to-Go took over the league's basketball operations.<ref name="chooks" />

The continued suspension of league play led to some teams taking part in tournaments of the newly established [[AsiaBasket|FilBasket]] in an effort to remain competitive.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Terrado |first=Reuben |date=2021-09-28 |title=Jai Reyes wants Filbasket to be 'fair, with parity, and no bias' |url=https://www.spin.ph/basketball/filbasket-vows-to-give-what-the-fans-want-says-league-founder-jai-reyes-a795-20210928 |access-date=2025-03-22 |website=Spin.ph |language=en}}</ref> This trend of teams competing in other regional leagues during the off-season continued into later seasons with the [[Pilipinas Super League]] (PSL).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Nueva Ecija hosts Davao Occidental as Pilipinas Super League heads out of town |url=https://www.philstar.com/sports/2023/12/01/2315644/nueva-ecija-hosts-davao-occidental-pilipinas-super-league-heads-out-town?fbclid=IwAR2qOF072agywOaxe48U621ipH1n9luX_f2WPM_TC5BX-V0g1EZ_cvrRqpg |access-date=2023-12-01 |website=Philstar.com}}</ref>

=== 2021–2025: The start of the professional era === On November 9, 2021, it was announced that the MPBL would turn into a professional league. A month later, on December 9, 2021, the MPBL was granted professional status by the [[Games and Amusements Board]] (GAB).<ref name=":1">{{cite news|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|date=9 December 2021}}</ref> This also allowed the league to feature collegiate players on team rosters, as long as the player himself has a Special Guest License. The league's first professional event was the [[2021 MPBL Invitational|2021 Invitational]], during which all roster restrictions were lifted.<ref name="set-to-turn-pro">{{cite news|date=November 10, 2021|title=Chooks-to-Go MPBL set to turn pro, removes Fil-for restrictions|work=Tiebreaker Times|url=https://tiebreakertimes.com.ph/tbt/chooks-to-go-mpbl-set-to-turn-pro-removes-fil-for-restrictions/224449|access-date=November 10, 2021}}</ref><ref name="mpbl-scraps">{{cite news|date=11 November 2021|title=MPBL scraps limit on Fil-foreign players per team – for the time being|work=Sports Interactive Network Philippines|url=https://www.spin.ph/basketball/mpbl-opens-doors-to-taller-fil-foreigners-scrap-6-5-height-limit-a795-20211111?ref=home_featured_2|access-date=11 November 2021}}</ref> The preseason tournament would later be developed with the [[MPBL Preseason Invitational]] in future seasons as a smaller pocket tournament.

As the league continued its recovery from the pandemic, it finally started its fourth season, the [[2022 MPBL season|2022 season]], after multiple postponements and over a year after last season's conclusion. It only featured 22 teams, the smallest the league has gotten since its inaugural season. The [[Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards]] became the first team to achieve a regular season sweep and subsequently won the [[2022 MPBL finals|2022 national finals]] against the [[Zamboanga Family's Brand Sardines]]. The succeeding [[2023 MPBL season|2023 season]] featured 29 teams, which included the additions of the [[Negros Muscovados]] and [[Quezon Huskers]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=Quezon, Negros Musovados join MPBL as 5th season features 26 squads|url=https://www.philstar.com/sports/2023/01/31/2241535/quezon-negros-musovados-join-mpbl-5th-season-features-26-squads|access-date=2023-01-31|website=Philstar.com}}</ref> The season also marked the beginning of a trend where PBA prospects, such as [[Justine Baltazar]], [[CJ Cansino]], and [[Adrian Nocum]] would first play in the MPBL before eventually declaring for the [[Philippine Basketball Association draft|draft]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ramos |first=Gerry |date=2024-07-03 |title=Consensus No. 1 pick Justine Baltazar applies for PBA draft again |url=https://www.spin.ph/basketball/pba/potential-top-pick-justine-baltazar-applies-in-pba-draft-again-a793-20240703 |access-date=2024-07-04 |website=Spin.ph |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Li |first=Matthew |date=2024-06-19 |title=CJ Cansino, Evan Nelle enter PBA Draft |url=https://tiebreakertimes.com.ph/tbt/cj-cansino-evan-nelle-enter-pba-draft/305447 |access-date=2024-08-30 |website=Tiebreaker Times |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Ramos |first=Gerry |date=2023-11-27 |title=Mapua product Adrian Nocum signed by Rain or Shine to two-year deal |url=https://www.spin.ph/basketball/pba/rookie-adrian-nocum-formally-joins-ros-after-signing-two-year-deal |access-date=2024-08-24 |website=Spin.ph |language=en}}</ref> Similarly, PBA veterans such as the likes of [[Marc Pingris]], [[Jayjay Helterbrand]], and [[Arwind Santos]] [[Ligang labas|also began playing in the regional league]] during the latter part of their playing careers.<ref>{{Cite web |author=Rommel Fuertes Jr. |date=2023-04-15 |title=Marc Pingris comes out of retirement, set to play for Imus in MPBL |url=https://sports.inquirer.net/505206/marc-pingris-comes-out-of-retirement-set-to-play-for-imus-in-mpbl |access-date=2023-05-29 |website=INQUIRER.net |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Terrado |first=Reuben |date=2023-10-07 |title=Pampanga beats Marikina in Arwind Santos MPBL debut |url=https://www.spin.ph/basketball/pampanga-beats-marikina-in-arwind-santos-mpbl-debut-a795-20231007 |access-date=2025-03-22 |website=Spin.ph |language=en}}</ref> On November 7, 2023, the league launched its social arm, the ''MPBL Kalinga'', with the goal of providing medical assistance to MPBL players, former and current, as well as league officials and staff.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Ulanday|first=John Bryan|title=MPBL launches social arm to aid former players|url=https://www.philstar.com/sports/2023/11/09/2310170/mpbl-launches-social-arm-aid-former-players?fbclid=IwAR31IzIqMnzCG8VECBqnI2e1EX6tRs7_iUPsf8k1nr3pKVF35bPiUsfZOC8|access-date=2023-11-11|website=Philstar.com}}</ref> In October 2024, a party-list sharing the same acronym, the ''Maharlikang Pilipino sa Bagong Lipunan'' party-list, was created in an effort to extend their grassroots program into other sports.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Panti |first=Llanesca T. |date=2024-10-07 |title=Ex-PBA MVP Duremdes, Jinkee Pacquiao eye House seats |url=https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/922879/ex-pba-mvp-duremdes-jinkee-pacquiao-eye-house-seats/story/ |access-date=2024-10-11 |website=GMA News Online |language=en}}</ref> The season culminated with the homegrown-laden [[Pampanga Giant Lanterns]] sweeping the [[Bacoor City Strikers]] in the [[2023 MPBL finals|2023 national finals]].

The [[2024 MPBL season|2024 season]] also featured 29 teams and marked the start of the league's Northern Luzon expansion. The ex-professional player limit was removed, allowing teams to sign any number of professional players onto their rosters.<ref name=":32">{{Cite web|date=2024-02-06|title=MPBL welcomes unlimited pros, expands with two new franchises|url=https://tiebreakertimes.com.ph/tbt/mpbl-welcomes-unlimited-pros-expands-with-two-new-franchises/293898|access-date=2024-02-08|website=Tiebreaker Times|language=en-US}}</ref> In April 2024, the league began exploring the possibility of joining the [[East Asia Super League]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Joble|first=Rey|date=2024-04-25|title=MPBL in EASL? League exec in exploratory talks with biggest nationwide hoop|url=https://pinoystep.com/index.php/2024/04/25/mpbl-in-easl-league-exec-in-exploratory-talks-with-biggest-nationwide-hoop/|access-date=2024-05-04|website=Pinoystep.com}}</ref> However, this was later refuted by EASL CEO Henry Kerins in October that year, stating that "there were no exploratory talks" while also sharing his respect for the league.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Anzures |first=Rom |date=2024-10-03 |title=Will we see MPBL teams in the EASL soon? CEO Henry Kerins answers |url=https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/2024/10/2/will-we-see-mpbl-teams-in-the-easl-soon-ceo-henry-kerins-answers-2302 |access-date=2024-10-06 |website=ABS-CBN News}}</ref> The season culminated with the first back-to-back championship after Pampanga defeated the [[Quezon Huskers]] in three games in the [[2024 MPBL finals]], which also featured the league's first international games in five years.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.spin.ph/basketball/-a1373-20241207 |title=Pampanga sweeps Quezon to claim back-to-back MPBL championships |work=spin.ph |date=December 7, 2024 |access-date=December 7, 2024}}</ref><ref name=":03">{{Cite web |date=2024-10-29 |title=MPBL to hold first two games of its championship in Dubai |url=https://www.spin.ph/basketball/mpbl/mpbl-to-hold-first-two-games-of-its-championship-in-dubai-a1373-20241029?ref=home_feed_1 |access-date=2024-10-29 |website=Spin.ph |language=en}}</ref>

The [[2025 MPBL season|2025 season]] features 30 teams and will see the introduction of the league's play-in tournament, a series of games to be held after the regular season and before the playoffs to determine which teams take up the final playoff spots similar to its [[NBA play-in tournament|NBA counterpart]]. The Northern Luzon expansion continued with the addition of the [[Ilagan Isabela Cowboys]].<ref name=":232">{{Cite web |date=2025-02-02 |title=Louie Gonzalez finds new home as Ilagan Isabela Cowboys join MPBL |url=https://tiebreakertimes.com.ph/tbt/louie-gonzalez-finds-new-home-as-ilagan-isabela-cowboys-join-mpbl/326309 |access-date=2025-02-02 |website=Tiebreaker Times |language=en-US}}</ref>

=== 2026–present: New leadership === In January 2026, the league had its first major leadership change since starting play in 2018, with [[Kenneth Duremdes]] becoming MPBL president with [[Emmerson Oreta]] succeeding him as the league's third commissioner.<ref name="leadership" /> The league wcontracted to 27 teams but added one expansion team in the [[Meycauayan Marilao Gems]].

=== Title sponsorship deals === In December 2019, [[Chooks-to-Go]] of [[Bounty Agro Ventures]] became the league's first title sponsor. The deal was initially set to last for five years (until December 2024), but only lasted until the 2021 Invitational.<ref name="chooks">{{cite news|date=25 October 2021|title=Chooks-to-Go takes over MPBL's basketball operations|work=Tiebreaker Times|url=https://tiebreakertimes.com.ph/tbt/chooks-to-go-takes-over-mpbls-basketball-operations/223124|access-date=26 October 2021}}</ref> [[Sports betting]] platform OKBet, succeeded Chooks-to-Go as the league's new title sponsor in 2022 and continued into 2023.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Ulanday|first=John Bryan|title=MPBL seals deal with sports betting firm, puts premium on integrity|url=https://www.philstar.com/sports/2022/06/12/2187881/mpbl-seals-deal-sports-betting-firm-puts-premium-integrity|access-date=2023-02-18|website=Philstar.com}}</ref> In 2025, the league signed a new title sponsorship deal with gambling company [[1xbet]], which supposed to last until 2026,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-02-27 |title=MPBL partners with sports betting firm |url=https://www.philstar.com/sports/2025/02/27/2424637/mpbl-partners-sports-betting-firm/ |access-date=2025-03-01 |website=www.philstar.com |language=en-US}}</ref> however the sponsorship was eventually pulled out mid-season and be replaced with 747 Live during the 2025 Playoffs and all the way to the 2025 National Finals. In 2026, MPBL partners with SportsPlus as its latest title sponsor.

=== Game-fixing issue === The league has been noted for its [[game fixing|game-fixing]] problem, which has been one of its long-standing issues. The league began cracking down on game-fixing ahead of the 2019–20 season,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-06-10 |title=Pacquiao taps experts to shadow 'shady' players in MPBL game-fixing crackdown |url=https://www.spin.ph/basketball/pacquiao-taps-experts-to-shadow-suspicious-players-a1373-20190610?ref=article_reco_slide |access-date=2024-10-11 |website=Spin.ph |language=en}}</ref> a season that went on to have multiple such cases.<ref name=":02">{{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><ref>{{Cite web |last=Badua |first=Snow |date=2020-03-11 |title=After 'internal cleansing,' Muntinlupa Cagers declare war on game-fixing |url=https://www.spin.ph/basketball/after-internal-cleansing-muntinlupa-cagers-declare-war-on-game-fixing-a800-20200311?ref=article_reco_list |access-date=2024-10-11 |website=Spin.ph |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Leongson |first=Randolph B. |date=2020-03-12 |title=Pampanga mum after Cruz, Juico tagged in MPBL game-fixing probe |url=https://www.spin.ph/basketball/pampanga-mum-after-cruz-juico-tagged-in-mpbl-game-fixing-probe-a2437-20200312?ref=article_reco_list |access-date=2024-10-11 |website=Spin.ph |language=en}}</ref> Ahead of the 2024 season, the league banned 47 players and officials who were allegedly involved in such acts.<ref>{{cite news |date=6 February 2024 |title=MPBL bans 47 players, officials for 'game-fixing,' lifts limit on ex-pros |url=https://www.spin.ph/basketball/mpbl-lifts-limit-on-pro-players-welcomes-new-teams-from-abra-pangasinan-a1373-20240206 |access-date=17 February 2024 |work=Sports Interactive Network Philippines |language=en}}</ref> The league has also told team owners to exclude any players and coaches who are suspected to be involved in this issue.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-02-03 |title=MPBL owners urged to steer clear of coaches, players linked to game-fixing |url=https://www.spin.ph/basketball/mpbl/mpbl-team-owners-on-coaches-players-linked-to-game-fixing-a1373-20250203?ref=home_feed_1 |access-date=2025-02-03 |website=Spin.ph |language=en}}</ref>

== Teams == {{See also|Timeline of the MPBL}}

As of the 2026 season, the league is composed of 28 teams.<ref>{{cite web |title=MPBL to hold simultaneous season openers in Caloocan, Binan |url=https://www.philstar.com/sports/2026/04/06/2519059/mpbl-hold-simultaneous-season-openers-caloocan-binan |website=[[The Philippine Star]] |access-date=2026-04-06 |date=2026-04-06}}</ref> Teams are divided into two geographic divisions: the [[North Division (MPBL)|North Division]] and [[South Division (MPBL)|South Division]]. The most recent expansion team is the [[Ilagan Isabela Cowboys]], who joined the league in 2025.

{| style="margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto" |- | {{OSM Location map |nolabels=1 |width=300 |height=450 |coord={{coord|12|122}} |zoom=5 |shapeD=circle |shape-outlineD=black |mark-sizeD=7 |label-sizeD=10,background,outline |label-posD=right

|label1='''[[Abra Weavers|Abra]]''' |mark-coord1={{Coord|17.602412|120.614000}} |shape-color1=blue |mark-title1=[[Abra Weavers]] |mark-image1= |mark-description1=Gov. Andres Bernos Memorial Gymnasium ([[University of Abra]])

|label2='''[[Bataan Risers|Bataan]]''' |label-pos2=west |mark-coord2={{Coord|14.674868|120.529843}} |shape-color2=blue |mark-title2=[[Bataan Risers]] |mark-image2=Balanga,Bataanjf2820 01.JPG |mark-description2=Bataan People's Center

|label3='''[[Bulacan Kuyas|Bulacan]]''' |label-pos3=east |mark-coord3={{Coord|14.861320|120.809360}} |shape-color3=blue |mark-title3=[[Bulacan Kuyas]] |mark-image3=2397Malolos Sports Convention Centerfvf 15.JPG |mark-description3=Malolos Sports and Convention Center

|label5='''[[Ilagan Isabela Cowboys|Ilagan Isabela]]''' |mark-coord5={{Coord|17.099464|121.854923}} |shape-color5=blue |mark-title5=[[Ilagan Isabela Cowboys]] |mark-image5=Ilagan Capital Arena.jpg |mark-description5=[[Capital Arena]]

|label16='''[[Bacolod Masskara|Bacolod]]''' / '''[[Negros Hacienderos|Negros]]''' |label-pos16=southwest |mark-coord16={{Coord|10.678627|122.961102}} |shape-color16=red |mark-title16=[[Bacolod Masskara]] and [[Negros Hacienderos]] |mark-image16=La Salle Coliseum.jpg |mark-description16=[[La Salle Coliseum]]

|label17='''[[Basilan Steel|Basilan]]''' |label-pos17=southwest |mark-coord17={{Coord|6.657978|122.145565}} |shape-color17=red |mark-title17=[[Basilan Steel]] |mark-image17=Lamitan City Capitol Gymnasium.jpg |mark-description17=Lamitan Capitol Gymnasium

|label18='''[[Batangas City Athletics|Batangas City]]''' |label-pos18=west |mark-coord18={{Coord|13.752830|121.051930}} |shape-color18=red |mark-title18=[[Batangas City Athletics]] |mark-image18=Batangas City Sports Center (DJPMM Road, Batangas City; 11-02-2024).jpg |mark-description18=Batangas City Sports Coliseum

|label20='''[[Cebu Greats|Cebu]]''' |mark-coord20={{Coord|10.305211|123.957233}} |shape-color20=red |mark-title20=[[Cebu Greats]] |mark-image20=Hoops Dome.jpg |mark-description20=[[Hoops Dome]]

|label22='''[[GenSan Warriors|Gen. Santos]]''' |label-pos22=west |mark-coord22={{Coord|6.131794|125.183211}} |shape-color22=red |mark-title22=[[GenSan Warriors]] |mark-image22=Lagao_Gymnasium.jpg |mark-description22=Lagao Gymnasium

|label31='''[[Iloilo United Royals|Iloilo]]''' |label-pos31=northeast |mark-coord31={{Coord|11.105741|122.641963}} |shape-color31=red |mark-title31=[[Iloilo United Royals]] |mark-image31= |mark-description31=Passi City Arena

|label24='''[[Mindoro Tamaraws|Mindoro]]''' |mark-coord24={{Coord|13.145325|121.440438}} |shape-color24=red |mark-title24=[[Mindoro Tamaraws]] |mark-image24= |mark-description24=Pola Gymnasium

|label27='''[[Quezon Huskers|Quezon]]''' |mark-coord27={{Coord|13.928494|121.613115}} |shape-color27=red |mark-title27=[[Quezon Huskers]] |mark-image27=Quezon Convention Center (Capitol Compound, Quezon Avenue, Lucena, Quezon; 10-09-2022).jpg |mark-description27=[[Quezon Convention Center]]

|label29='''[[Sarangani Marlins|Sarangani]]''' |mark-coord29={{Coord|6.103373|125.272211}} |shape-color29=red |mark-title29=[[Sarangani Marlins]] |mark-image29= |mark-description29=Sarangani Capitol Gymnasium

|label30='''[[Zamboanga Sikat|Zamboanga]]''' |label-pos30=northeast |mark-coord30={{Coord|6.913180|122.089803}} |shape-color30=red |mark-title30=[[Zamboanga Sikat]] |mark-image30=Mayor Vitaliano D. Agan (Zamboanga City) Coliseum during MPBL game.jpg |mark-description30=[[Mayor Vitaliano D. Agan Coliseum]] }}

| {{OSM Location map |nolabels=1 |width=300 |height=450 |coord={{coord|14.5|121.05}} |zoom=10 |shapeD=circle |shape-outlineD=black |mark-sizeD=8 |label-sizeD=11,background,outline |label-posD=right

|label4='''[[Caloocan Batang Kankaloo|Caloocan]]''' |mark-coord4={{Coord|14.750451|121.020618}} |shape-color4=blue |mark-title4=[[Caloocan Batang Kankaloo]] |mark-image4=Caloocan Sports Complex (Deparo, Caloocan; 05-29-2022).jpg |mark-description4=[[Caloocan Sports Complex]]

|label6='''[[Manila Batang Quiapo|Manila]]''' |mark-coord6={{Coord|14.569109|120.987071}} |shape-color6=blue |mark-title6=[[Manila Batang Quiapo]] |mark-image6=Malate Remedios Area 12.jpg |mark-description6=[[San Andres Sports Complex]]

|label7='''[[Marikina Shoemasters|Marikina]]''' |mark-coord7={{Coord|14.634632|121.098071}} |shape-color7=blue |mark-title7=[[Marikina Shoemasters]] |mark-image7=Marikina Sports Center indoor arena.jpg |mark-description7=[[Marikina Sports Center]]

|label32='''[[Meycauayan Marilao Gems|Meycauayan Marilao]]''' |label-pos32=southeast |mark-coord32={{Coord|14.728216|120.959317}} |shape-color32=blue |mark-title32=[[Meycauayan Marilao Gems]] |mark-image32= |mark-description32=Meycauayan Sports Complex

|label26='''[[Parañaque Patriots|Parañaque]]''' |mark-coord26={{Coord|14.478855|120.995962}} |shape-color26=blue |mark-title26=[[Parañaque Patriots]] |mark-image26= |mark-description26=[[Olivarez College|Olivarez College Coliseum]]

|label11='''[[Pasay Voyagers|Pasay]]''' |mark-coord11={{Coord|14.544780|120.992027}} |shape-color11=blue |mark-title11=[[Pasay Voyagers]] |mark-image11=Cuneta Astrodome (Roxas Boulevard Cor. Arnaiz Road, Pasay; 2012-11-19).jpg |mark-description11=[[Cuneta Astrodome]]

|label12='''[[Pasig City MPBL team|Pasig City]]''' |mark-coord12={{Coord|14.573939|121.062275}} |shape-color12=blue |mark-title12=[[Pasig City MPBL team|Pasig City]] |mark-image12=0592jfPasig City Capitol Commons Sports Arena Ortigas Center Shaw Boulevardfvf 14.jpg |mark-description12=[[Ynares Sports Arena]]

|label13='''[[Quezon City Black Bulls|Quezon City]]''' |mark-coord13={{Coord|14.696139|121.078551}} |shape-color13=blue |mark-title13=[[Quezon City Black Bulls]] |mark-image13= |mark-description13=Quezon City District 2 Gymnasium

|label14='''[[San Juan Knights|San Juan]]''' |mark-coord14={{Coord|14.605427|121.032609}} |shape-color14=blue |mark-title14=[[San Juan Knights]] |mark-image14=Playtime Filoil Centre facade - 2025-0706.jpg |mark-description14=[[Playtime Filoil Centre]]

|label15='''[[Valenzuela City Darkhorse|Valenzuela City]]''' |label-pos15=northwest |mark-coord15={{Coord|14.741629|120.988784}} |shape-color15=blue |mark-title15=[[Valenzuela City Darkhorse]] |mark-image15= |mark-description15=WES Arena

|label19='''[[Biñan Tatak Gel|Biñan]]''' |mark-coord19={{Coord|14.314095|121.078566}} |shape-color19=red |mark-title19=[[Biñan Tatak Gel]] |mark-image19=3684Biñan City, Laguna Barangays Landmarks 36.jpg |mark-description19=[[Alonte Sports Arena]]

|label23='''[[Imus Braderhood|Imus]]''' |mark-coord23={{Coord|14.432533|120.947502}} |shape-color23=red |mark-title23=[[Imus Braderhood]] |mark-image23= |mark-description23=Imus Sports Complex

|label28='''[[Rizal Golden Coolers|Rizal]]''' |mark-coord28={{Coord|14.723497|121.143765}} |shape-color28=red |mark-title28=[[Rizal Golden Coolers]] |mark-image28=Ynares Center Montalban Inauguration Ceremony.jpg |mark-description28=[[Ynares Center Montalban]] }} |}

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="width:100%; text-align:left" |+ Overview of MPBL teams |- ! rowspan=2 | Division ! rowspan=2 | Team ! colspan=3 | Location ! rowspan=2 | [[List of MPBL venues|Arena]] ! rowspan=2 | Capacity ! rowspan=2 | Founded (lineage) ! rowspan=2 | Joined ! rowspan=2 | Head coach{{efn|name=Coach}} |- ! Region ! Province ! City / Mun.

|- ! rowspan=14 | [[North Division (MPBL)|North]] ! [[Abra Solid North Weavers|Abra Weavers]] | [[Cordillera Administrative Region|Cordillera]] | [[Abra (province)|Abra]] | [[Bangued]] | [[University of Abra]] | align=center | 1,500 | align=center colspan=2 | [[2024 MPBL season|2024]] | {{sortname|Yong|Garcia|nolink=1}} |- ! [[Bataan Risers]] | [[Central Luzon]] | [[Bataan]] | [[Orion, Bataan|Orion]] | Orion Sports Complex | align=center | 2,000 | align=center colspan=2 | [[2018 MPBL season|2018]] | {{sortname|Goody|Ilagan|nolink=1}} |- ! [[Bulacan Kuyas]] | [[Central Luzon]] | [[Bulacan]] | [[Baliwag]] [[Malolos]] | Baliwag Star Arena <hr> Malolos Sports and Convention Center | align=center | 5,000 <hr> 5,000 | align=center | 2017 | align=center | [[2018 MPBL season|2018]] | {{sortname|Allan|Salangsang|nolink=}} |- ! [[Caloocan Batang Kankaloo]] | [[Metro Manila]] | {{n/a}} | [[Caloocan]] | [[Caloocan Sports Complex]] | align=center | 3,000 | align=center | 2017 | align=center | [[2018 MPBL season|2018]] | {{sortname|Jerson|Cabiltes|nolink=1}} |- ! [[Ilagan Isabela Cowboys]] | [[Cagayan Valley]] | [[Isabela (province)|Isabela]] | [[Ilagan]] | [[Capital Arena]] | align=center | 10,000 | align=center colspan=2 | [[2025 MPBL season|2025]] | {{sortname|Louie|Gonzalez}} |- ! [[Manila Batang Quiapo]] | [[Metro Manila]] | {{n/a}} | [[Manila]]{{efn|name=Manila}} | [[San Andres Sports Complex]] | align=center | 3,000 | align=center colspan=2 | [[2018–19 MPBL season|2018]] | {{sortname|Max|Dayandante|nolink=1}} |- ! [[Marikina Shoemasters]] | [[Metro Manila]] | {{n/a}} | [[Marikina]] | [[Marikina Sports Center]] | align=center | 7,000 | align=center colspan=2 | [[2018–19 MPBL season|2018]] | {{sortname|Angelo|Nebres|nolink=1}} |- ! [[Meycauayan Marilao Gems]] | [[Central Luzon]] | [[Bulacan]] | [[Meycauayan]] [[Marilao]] [[San Jose del Monte]] | Meycauayan Sports Complex <hr> San Jose del Monte Sports Complex | align=center | N/A <hr> N/A | align=center colspan=2 | [[2018 MPBL season|2018]]{{efn|name=Relocate1}} | {{sortname|Jonathan|Banal|nolink=1}} |- ! [[Parañaque Patriots]] | [[Metro Manila]] | {{n/a}} | [[Parañaque]] | [[Olivarez College]] | align=center | 3,500 | align=center | 2017 | align=center | [[2018 MPBL season|2018]] | {{sortname|JR|Villanueva|nolink=1}} |- ! [[Pasay Voyagers]] | [[Metro Manila]] | {{n/a}} | [[Pasay]] | [[Cuneta Astrodome]] | align=center | 12,000 | align=center colspan=2 | [[2018–19 MPBL season|2018]] | {{sortname|Marlon|Martin|nolink=1}} |- ! [[Pasig City MPBL team|Pasig City]] | [[Metro Manila]] | {{n/a}} | [[Pasig]] | [[Ynares Sports Arena]] | align=center | 3,000 | align=center | [[2018 MPBL season|2018]] ([[Metropolitan Basketball Association|1998]]) | align=center | [[2018 MPBL season|2018]] | {{sortname|Ryan|De Ramos|nolink=1}} |- ! [[Quezon City Black Bulls]] | [[Metro Manila]] | {{n/a}} | [[Quezon City]] | MRB Gymnasium <hr> Novadeci Convention Center | align=center | 2,000 <hr> 2,000 | align=center colspan=2 | [[2018 MPBL season|2018]] | {{sortname|Javy|Olea|nolink=1}} |- ! [[San Juan Knights]] | [[Metro Manila]] | {{n/a}} | [[San Juan, Metro Manila|San Juan]] | [[Playtime Filoil Centre]] | align=center | 5,500 | align=center | 2018 ([[Metropolitan Basketball Association|1999]]) | align=center | [[2018–19 MPBL season|2018]] | {{sortname|Alexander|Angeles|nolink=1}} |- ! [[Valenzuela City Darkhorse]] | [[Metro Manila]] | {{n/a}} | [[Valenzuela, Metro Manila|Valenzuela]] | WES Arena | align=center | 1,100 | align=center | 2017 | align=center | [[2018 MPBL season|2018]] | {{sortname|Estong|Ballesteros|nolink=}}

|- ! rowspan=14 | [[South Division (MPBL)|South]] ! [[Bacolod Masskara]] | [[Negros Island Region]] | [[Negros Occidental]]{{efn|name=HUC}} | [[Bacolod]] | [[La Salle Coliseum]] | align=center | 8,000 | align=center colspan=2 | [[2019–20 MPBL season|2019]] | {{sortname|Lency|Aransazo|nolink=1}} |- ! [[Basilan Steel]] | [[Bangsamoro]] | [[Basilan]] | [[Lamitan]] | Lamitan Capitol Gymnasium | align=center | 3,000 | align=center | [[2018–19 MPBL season|2018]] | align=center | [[2018–19 MPBL season|2018]] | {{sortname|Arnold|Oliveros|nolink=1}} |- ! [[Batangas City Athletics]] | [[Calabarzon]] | [[Batangas]] | [[Batangas City]] | Batangas Province Events Center <hr> Batangas City Sports Coliseum | align=center | 6,000 <hr> 4,000 | align=center colspan=2 | [[2018 MPBL season|2018]] | {{sortname|Cholo|Villanueva}} |- ! [[Biñan Tatak Gel]] | [[Calabarzon]] | [[Laguna (province)|Laguna]] | [[Biñan]] | [[Alonte Sports Arena]] | align=center | 6,500 | align=center colspan=2 | [[2018–19 MPBL season|2018]] | {{sortname|Boyet|Fernandez}} |- ! [[Cebu Greats]] | [[Central Visayas]] | [[Cebu]]{{efn|name=HUC}} | [[Lapu-Lapu City|Lapu-Lapu]] | [[Hoops Dome]] | align=center | 4,600 | align=center | [[2018–19 MPBL season|2018]] | align=center | [[2018–19 MPBL season|2018]] | {{sortname|Aldrin|Morante|nolink=1}} |- ! [[GenSan Warriors]] | [[Soccsksargen]] | [[South Cotabato]]{{efn|name=HUC}} | [[General Santos]] | Lagao Gymnasium | align=center | 6,000 | align=center | 2018 (2005) | align=center | [[2018–19 MPBL season|2018]] | {{sortname|Elvis|Tolentino|nolink=1}} |- ! [[Iloilo United Royals]] | [[Western Visayas]] | [[Iloilo]] | [[Passi, Iloilo|Passi]] | Passi City Arena | align=center | 2,000 | align=center colspan=2 | [[2019–20 MPBL season|2019]] | {{sortname|Sherwin|Cantos|nolink=1}} |- ! [[Imus Bandera]] | [[Calabarzon]] | [[Cavite]] | [[Imus]] | Imus Sports Complex | align=center | 1,000 | align=center colspan=2 | [[2018 MPBL season|2018]] | {{sortname|Britt|Reroma|nolink=1}} |- ! [[Mindoro Tamaraws]] | [[Mimaropa]] | [[Oriental Mindoro]] | [[Pola, Oriental Mindoro|Pola]] | Pola Gymnasium | align=center | N/A | align=center colspan=2 | [[2019–20 MPBL season|2019]] | {{sortname|Bengie|Teodoro|nolink=1}} |- ! [[Negros Hacienderos]] | [[Negros Island Region]] | [[Negros Occidental]]{{efn|name=HUC}} | [[Bacolod]] | [[La Salle Coliseum]] | align=center | 8,000 | align=center | [[2021 MPBL Invitational|2021]] | align=center | [[2023 MPBL season|2023]] | {{sortname|Kim|Cinco|nolink=1}} |- ! [[Quezon Huskers]] | [[Calabarzon]] | [[Quezon]]{{efn|name=HUC}} | [[Lucena]] | [[Quezon Convention Center]] <hr> Lucena Convention Center | align=center | 7,000 <hr> 4,000 | align=center | 2023 ([[United Regional Basketball League|2004]]) | align=center | [[2023 MPBL season|2023]] | {{sortname|Eric|Gonzales}} |- ! [[Rizal Golden Coolers]] | [[Calabarzon]] | [[Rizal (province)|Rizal]] | [[Rodriguez, Rizal|Rodriguez]] | [[Ynares Center Montalban]] | align=center | 8,000 | align=center colspan=2 | [[2018–19 MPBL season|2018]] | {{sortname|Mark|Damdan|nolink=1}} |- ! [[Sarangani Marlins]] | [[Soccsksargen]] | [[Sarangani]] | [[Alabel]] | Sarangani Capitol Gymnasium | align=center | 1,000 | align=center | 2019 ([[Metropolitan Basketball Association|1998]]) | align=center | [[2019–20 MPBL season|2019]] | {{sortname|John|Kallos|nolink=1}} |- ! [[Zamboanga Sikat]] | [[Zamboanga Peninsula]] | [[Zamboanga del Sur]]{{efn|name=HUC}} | [[Zamboanga City]] | [[Mayor Vitaliano D. Agan Coliseum]] | align=center | 12,000 | align=center | [[2018–19 MPBL season|2019]] (2018) | align=center | [[2018–19 MPBL season|2018]]{{efn|name=Zamboanga}} | {{sortname|John|Sia|nolink=1}} |}  === Former teams === {| class="wikitable sortable" style="width:100%; text-align:left" |- ! rowspan=2 | Team ! colspan=3 | Location ! rowspan=2 | [[List of MPBL venues|Arena]] ! rowspan=2 | Capacity ! rowspan=2 | Founded ! rowspan=2 | Joined ! rowspan=2 | Last season |- ! Region ! Province ! City / Mun. |- ! [[Bacoor City Strikers]] | [[Calabarzon]] | [[Cavite]] | [[Bacoor]] | Strike Gymnasium | align=center | 1,500 | align=center colspan=2 | [[2018–19 MPBL season|2018]] | align=center | [[2023 MPBL season|2023]] |- ! [[Bicol Volcanoes]] | [[Bicol Region]] | [[Albay]] | [[Legazpi, Albay|Legazpi]] | Ibalong Centrum for Recreation | align=center | 8,000 | align=center colspan=2 | [[2019–20 MPBL season|2019]] | align=center | [[2024 MPBL season|2024]] |- ! [[Davao Occidental Tigers]] | [[Davao Region]] | [[Davao del Sur]]{{Efn|name=DavaoOccidental}}{{efn|name=HUC}} | [[Davao City]]{{Efn|name=DavaoOccidental}} | [[Davao City Recreation Center]] | align=center | 2,500 | align=center colspan=2 | [[2018–19 MPBL season|2018]] | align=center | [[2025 MPBL season|2025]] |- ! [[Makati Skyscrapers]] | [[Metro Manila]] | {{n/a}} | [[Makati]] | [[Makati Coliseum]] | align=center | 12,000 | align=center colspan=2 | [[2018–19 MPBL season|2018]] | align=center | [[2023 MPBL season|2023]] |- ! [[Mandaluyong El Tigre]] | [[Metro Manila]] | {{n/a}} | [[Mandaluyong]] | [[José Rizal University]] | align=center | 1,000 | align=center colspan=2 | [[2018–19 MPBL season|2018]] | align=center | [[2018–19 MPBL season|2019]] |- ! [[Navotas Clutch]] | [[Metro Manila]] | {{n/a}} | [[Navotas]] | Navotas Sports Complex | align=center | 1,000 | align=center colspan=2 | [[2018 MPBL season|2018]] | align=center | [[2019–20 MPBL season|2020]] |- ! [[Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards]] | [[Central Luzon]] | [[Nueva Ecija]] | [[Palayan]] | Nueva Ecija Coliseum | align=center | 3,000 | align=center colspan=2 | [[2019–20 MPBL season|2019]] | align=center | [[2025 MPBL season|2025]] |- ! [[Pampanga Giant Lanterns]] | [[Central Luzon]] | [[Pampanga]] | [[San Fernando, Pampanga|San Fernando]] | [[Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center]] | align=center | 3,000 | align=center colspan=2 | [[2018–19 MPBL season|2018]] | align=center | [[2025 MPBL season|2025]] |- ! [[Pangasinan Heatwaves]] | [[Ilocos Region]] | [[Pangasinan]] | [[Rosales, Pangasinan|Rosales]] | Robert B. Estrella Sr. Memorial Stadium | align=center | 3,000 | align=center colspan=2 | [[2024 MPBL season|2024]] | align=center | [[2025 MPBL season|2025]] |- ! [[Tarlac United Force]] | [[Central Luzon]] | [[Tarlac]] | [[Tarlac City]] | [[Tarlac State University]] | align=center | N/A | align=center colspan=3 | [[2024 MPBL season|2024]]{{efn|name=Tarlac}} |}

; Notes {{notelist|refs= : {{efn|name=Coach|Teams may have two head coaches: a ''de facto'' head coach and an acting head coach. Both coaches are listed as such.}} : {{efn|name=DavaoOccidental|Despite representing Davao Occidental, the Davao Occidental Tigers play their home games within the [[Metro Davao]] area.}} : {{efn|name=HUC|The team is based in a highly urbanized city that is grouped with the listed province.}} : {{efn|name=Manila|Despite representing the district of [[Quiapo, Manila|Quiapo]], the Manila Batang Quiapo play their home games in [[Paco, Manila|Paco]] and [[Malate, Manila|Malate]].}} : {{efn|name=Relocate1|Originally known as the Muntinlupa Cagers; relocated to southern Bulacan in 2026.}} : {{efn|name=Tarlac|The Tarlac United Force were pulled by the league without playing a single game due to financial issues.}} : {{efn|name=Zamboanga|The Zamboanga Sikat initially competed under the [[Zamboanga Valientes]] banner in 2018 before splitting from the latter in 2019. Should the Sikat be considered a successor to the Valientes, the team's lineage can be traced back to 2006.}} }}

=== Teams per region === The table below shows how the league is spread across all [[Regions of the Philippines|regions]] in the country. As of 2025, [[Metro Manila]] has the most active teams out of any region with nine followed by [[Calabarzon]] with five, and [[Central Luzon]] with three. [[Negros Island Region]] and [[Soccsksargen]] each have two teams while every other representing region has one team. In terms of [[Island groups of the Philippines|island groups]], a majority of teams are based in [[Luzon]], which has 20 teams, while [[Visayas]] and [[Mindanao]] have four each.

Twelve of the country's eighteen regions are currently being represented. [[Ilocos Region]], [[Bicol Region]], and [[Davao Region]] had prior representation in the league. [[Eastern Visayas]], [[Northern Mindanao]], and [[Caraga]] are the only regions that haven't had any teams compete in the league.

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center" ! rowspan=2 | Region ! colspan=8 | Season |- ! [[2018 MPBL season|2018]] ! [[2018–19 MPBL season|2018–19]] ! [[2019–20 MPBL season|2019–20]] ! [[2022 MPBL season|2022]] ! [[2023 MPBL season|2023]] ! [[2024 MPBL season|2024]] ! [[2025 MPBL season|2025]] ! [[2026 MPBL season|2026]] |- | align=left | [[Ilocos Region]] | colspan=5 {{n/a|0}} || colspan=2 | 1 || {{n/a|0}} |- | align=left | [[Cordillera Administrative Region|Cordillera]] | colspan=5 {{n/a|0}} || colspan=3 | 1 |- | align=left | [[Cagayan Valley]] | colspan=6 {{n/a|0}} || colspan=2 | 1 |- | align=left | [[Central Luzon]] | 2 || 3 || 4 || 3 || colspan=3 | 4 || 3 |- | align=left | [[Metro Manila]] | 6 || 13 || 12 || 9 || 11 || 9 || 10 || 9 |- | align=left | [[Calabarzon]] | 2 || colspan=3 | 5 || 6 || colspan=3 | 5 |- | align=left | [[Mimaropa]] | colspan=2 {{n/a|0}} || colspan=6 | 1 |- | align=left | [[Bicol Region]] | colspan=2 {{n/a|0}} || 1 || {{n/a|0}} || colspan=2 | 1 || colspan=2 {{n/a|0}} |- | align=left | [[Western Visayas]] | colspan=2 {{n/a|0}} || 2 || 1 || 3 || 1 || {{n/a|0}} || 1 |- | align=left | [[Negros Island Region]] | colspan=5 {{n/a}}{{efn|name=Exist}} || 2 || 1 || 2 |- | align=left | [[Central Visayas]] | {{n/a|0}} || colspan=2 | 1 || colspan=3 {{n/a|0}} || colspan=2 | 1 |- | align=left | [[Zamboanga Peninsula]] | {{n/a|0}} || colspan=7 | 1 |- | align=left | [[Davao Region]] | {{n/a|0}} || colspan=2 | 1 || colspan=2 {{n/a|0}} || colspan=2 | 1 || {{n/a|0}} |- | align=left | [[Soccsksargen]] | {{n/a|0}} || 1 || colspan=6 | 2 |- | align=left | [[Bangsamoro]] | {{n/a}}{{efn|name=Exist|The region didn't exist during the season.}} || colspan=2 | 1 || colspan=3 {{n/a|0}} || colspan=2 | 1 |}

; Notes {{notelist|refs= : {{efn|name=Exist|The region didn't exist during the season.}} }}

=== Team rivalries === Within just its first decade, the MPBL has already developed rivalries between its teams. Due to the league using a single round-robin format in every season thus far, the league’s rivalries mostly revolve around playoff series. Others may involve contention within the division and/or the league overall.

As of 2026, the league's only notable active rivalry is the [[Batangas City Athletics–Zamboanga Sikat rivalry|Batangas City–Zamboanga rivalry]]. Both teams met in the playoffs four times in seven seasons, including three straight from 2019 to 2022 and a division finals series in 2022. Additionally, all four series went the full length.<ref>{{cite news |date=December 2, 2022 |title=Zamboanga completes huge comeback to seal MPBL Finals date vs. Nueva Ecija |url=https://www.dugout.ph/2022/11/zamboanga-completes-huge-comeback-to.html |access-date=November 26, 2022 |work=Dugout Philippines}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-11-28 |title=Squeaker sends Zamboanga to national finals |url=https://www.philstar.com/sports/2022/11/28/2226984/squeaker-sends-zamboanga-national-finals |access-date=2024-11-01 |website=Philstar.com}}</ref> Historical rivalries include [[Davao Occidental Tigers–San Juan Knights rivalry|Davao Occidental–San Juan]], [[Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards–San Juan Knights rivalry|Nueva Ecija–San Juan]], [[Pampanga Giant Lanterns–San Juan Knights rivalry|Pampanga–San Juan]], and [[Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards–Pampanga Giant Lanterns rivalry|Nueva Ecija–Pampanga]].

== Season structure ==

=== Preseason === {{Main|MPBL Preseason Invitational}}

Before the regular season, the league holds a [[MPBL Preseason Invitational|Preseason Invitational]] tournament, featuring a set number of teams. The tournament is divided into two phases: the group stage and the playoffs. In the group stage, the participating teams are divided into multiple groups, where each team will play against their group opponents once. The top two teams of each group advance to a single-elimination playoffs.

=== Regular season === {{See also|List of MPBL seasons}} The regular season utilizes a single [[round-robin tournament]] format, where each team plays against all of the other teams once, regardless of division alignment. The league uses [[FIBA]] rules for all of its games. The league uses the number of wins as its first metric for determining rankings and any ties are broken using the quotient system.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-02-24 |title=FINAL: Pampanga Giant Lanterns 109-75 Gensan Bulalakaw |url=https://www.facebook.com/mpblofficialph/posts/pfbid0VaG69maBuereRNsE673zRGrWDrJMu1LTd9N96MjbqKVdPua6dbeTuJZCuV2DG58al |access-date=2024-09-30 |publisher=Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League |via=[[Facebook]] |quote=Quezon City Toda Aksyon also qualifies for the semifinals along with Pampanga due to a superior quotient compared to Bulalakaw and Valenzuela.}}</ref>

Two or three games are scheduled each day to be played in a single venue, thus a majority of the league's games are considered neutral-site games. In most cases, the home team typically plays in the final game. Should any games be postponed or suspended, most commonly due to natural disasters like typhoons, those will be moved towards the back end of the regular season and are only played if there are postseason implications.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-07-25 |title=MPBL postpones Thursday games due to Carina |url=https://sports.inquirer.net/576190/mpbl-postpones-thursday-games-due-to-carina |access-date=2024-07-25 |website=INQUIRER.net |language=en |quote=According to league rules, games with potential postseason consequences can be rescheduled after the original end of the regular season, although it is also possible that the games could be played instead sometime during the home stretch.}}</ref>

Similar to the PBA, league also schedules series of out-of-town games throughout the regular season, known as Invasion series, where consecutive gamedays take place in areas far from the [[Greater Manila Area]], such as Visayas and Mindanao. Invasion series also covers the league's international games.

=== All-Star Game === {{Main|MPBL All-Star Game}}

Near the end of the regular season, the league holds its seasonal All-Star Game. Two teams representing the North and South Divisions are composed of fifteen players from each division, all of whom are declared as the season's all-stars. Alongside the All-Star Game are the various festivities held at the same day, including the Executives' Game, Three-Point Shootout, and Slam Dunk Contest.

=== Play-in tournament === Beginning with the 2025 season, the league will feature a play-in tournament to be contested by teams ranked seventh through tenth in their respective divisions. The seventh and eighth-placed teams play to determine the seventh seed in the playoffs. The ninth and tenth-placed teams play to face the looser of the seventh place game for the last seed.

=== Playoffs === {{See also|MPBL finals}} Since the 2018–19 season, sixteen teams advance to the playoffs, eight per division. These include the top six teams from each division as well as two qualifying teams from the play-in tournament.

In the first round or the division quarterfinals, the first seed is matched with the eighth seed, the second with the seventh, the third with the sixth, and the fourth with the fifth. The division semifinals will then have the winner of the 1–8 series match with the winner of the 4–5 series, and the winner of the 2–7 series with the winner of the 3–6 series. The winners of both series then meet in the division finals. The champions of each division will then meet in the final round, dubbed as the MPBL finals or the MPBL national finals, where the two teams play in one final series to determine the series champion. The first two rounds, the division quarterfinals and semifinals, are [[best-of-three series]], both division finals are [[best-of-five]], and the national finals is [[best-of-seven]].

==== Homecourt advantage ==== During the first two rounds of the playoffs, two games from within the same division are played in the same gameday at the same venue. Because of this, a different system is used to determine [[homecourt advantage]] for those two rounds, shown in the table below. Both the division finals and national finals use a traditional 2–2–1 format, where the higher-seeded team hosts games 1, 2, and 5.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;" |- ! colspan="2"| Seed ! colspan="4"| Court |- ! {{abbr|DQF|Division quarterfinals}} ! {{abbr|DSF|Division semifinals}} ! Game 1 ! Game 2 ! Game 3 |- | 1st | rowspan="2"| Highest | rowspan="2" style="background:#CFFFCF;"| Home | rowspan="2" style="background:#FFFFCF;"| Neutral | style="background:#CFFFCF;"| Home |- | 2nd | rowspan="3" style="background:#E7FFE7;"| Home or Neutral |- | 3rd | rowspan="2"| Second-highest | rowspan="2" style="background:#FFFFCF;"| Neutral | rowspan="2" style="background:#CFFFCF;"| Home |- | 4th |- | 5th | rowspan="2"| Second-lowest | rowspan="2" style="background:#FFFFCF;"| Neutral | rowspan="2" style="background:#FFCFCF;"| Away | rowspan="3" style="background:#FFE7E7;"| Away or neutral |- | 6th |- | 7th | rowspan="2"| Lowest | rowspan="2" style="background:#FFCFCF;"| Away | rowspan="2" style="background:#FFFFCF;"| Neutral |- | 8th | style="background:#FFCFCF;"| Away |}

=== Awards === {{Main|List of MPBL awards}}

A majority of the league's awards are given out during the national finals, such as the [[MPBL Most Valuable Player award|Most Valuable Player]] and [[MPBL Defensive Player of the Year award|Defensive Player of the Year]] awards. Two awards, the [[MPBL Finals Most Valuable Player|Finals MVP]] and Coach of the Year, are given out after the finals.

=== Roster regulations === There is no draft held during the off-season, instead teams acquire their players through the signing of contracts. Teams must have a minimum of 15 players in their roster, with the maximum being 22. In each game, however, teams can only field a 15-man roster into the court. All local players are eligible, although teams can also sign up to two Filipino-foreigners. The league currently doesn't allow imports.<ref>{{Cite web|title=MPBL welcomes Quezon Province, Negros Muscovados|url=https://mb.com.ph/2023/01/30/mpbl-welcomes-quezon-province-negros-musovados/|access-date=2024-01-07|website=Manila Bulletin|language=en}}</ref>

Being based in the grassroots level, each team is required to have at least three homegrown players who come from the team's home locality. Since 2022, with the transition to professional status, the league has also allowed collegiate players to join as long as the player is granted a Special Guest License from the [[Games and Amusements Board|Games and Amusement Board]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=2022-04-09|title=MPBL partners with Cignal TV for fourth season|url=https://tiebreakertimes.com.ph/tbt/mpbl-partners-with-cignal-tv-for-fourth-season/236844|access-date=2023-06-07|website=Tiebreaker Times|language=en-US}}</ref> Since June 1, 2024, the [[National Collegiate Athletic Association (Philippines)|NCAA]] no longer allows SGLs to play professionally.<ref>{{Cite web|title=NCAA to disallow use of SGL starting Season 100|url=https://www.gmanetwork.com/ncaa/sports/othersports/896881/ncaa-to-lift-sgl-rule-come-season-100/story/|access-date=2024-02-08|website=GMA Network|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Li|first=Matthew|date=2024-03-01|title=NCAA to enforce SGL ban after Season 99|url=https://tiebreakertimes.com.ph/tbt/ncaa-to-enforce-sgl-ban-after-season-99/295766|access-date=2024-03-03|website=Tiebreaker Times|language=en-US}}</ref> The league also had an ex-professional player limit, where teams were allowed to sign limited number of players with prior professional experience. This was replaced with an ex-PBA player limit in 2022, and in 2024 the limit was scrapped in its entirety.<ref name=":32" /> The league schedules a window during the middle of the season where teams can propose trades, all to be approved by the commissioner's office.

== Championships == {{Main|List of MPBL champions}}

As of 2025, six teams have won the championship, with the [[Pampanga Giant Lanterns]] being the only team to win two titles. Four teams have made two appearances in the national finals thus far.

{|class="wikitable" |style="background:#FFCFCF; width:2em"| † || Team has since departed the league |}

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center;" ! Team ! Win !! Loss !! Total ! Year(s) won !! Year(s) lost |- | align=left bgcolor="FFCFCF" | [[Pampanga Giant Lanterns]]† | 2 || 0 || 2 | align=left | [[2023 MPBL finals|2023]], [[2024 MPBL finals|2024]] | align=center | — |- | align=left | [[San Juan Knights]] | 1 || 1 || 2 | align=left | [[2019 MPBL finals|2019]] | align=left | [[2021 MPBL finals|2021]] |- | align=left bgcolor="FFCFCF" | [[Davao Occidental Tigers]]† | 1 || 1 || 2 | align=left | [[2021 MPBL finals|2021]] | align=left | [[2019 MPBL finals|2019]] |- | align=left | [[Batangas City Athletics]] | 1 || 0 || 1 | align=left | [[2018 MPBL finals|2018]] | align=center | — |- | align=left bgcolor="FFCFCF" | [[Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards]]† | 1 || 0 || 1 | align=left | [[2022 MPBL finals|2022]] | align=center | — |- | align=left | [[Abra Weavers]] | 1 || 0 || 1 | align=left | [[2025 MPBL finals|2025]] | align=center | — |- | align=left | [[Quezon Huskers]] | 0 || 2 || 2 | align=center | — | align=left | [[2024 MPBL finals|2024]], [[2025 MPBL finals|2025]] |- | align=left bgcolor="FFCFCF" | [[Muntinlupa Cagers]]† | 0 || 1 || 1 | align=center | — | align=left | [[2018 MPBL finals|2018]] |- | align=left | [[Zamboanga Sikat]] | 0 || 1 || 1 | align=center | — | align=left | [[2022 MPBL finals|2022]] |- | align=left bgcolor="FFCFCF" | [[Bacoor City Strikers]]† | 0 || 1 || 1 | align=center | — | align=left | [[2023 MPBL finals|2023]] |}

=== Junior MPBL === {| class="wikitable" ! Year ! Season ! Age group ! Champion ! Runner-up |- | rowspan="3"| [[2023 MPBL season|2023]] | rowspan="3" align=center | [[2023 MPBL season#Junior MPBL tournaments|Season 1]] | align=center | U-14 | Cavite City Aces Solar || [[Mindoro Disiplinados|Mindoro Junior Disiplinados]] |- | align=center | U-16 | Davao Red Cubs || Quezon City 828 Junior Giants |- | align=center | U-18 | Mandaluyong Junior Microsmith || Davao Red Cubs |- | rowspan="4"| [[2024 MPBL season|2024]] | rowspan="4" align=center | [[2024 MPBL season#Junior MPBL tournaments|Season 2]] | align=center | U-14 | [[Biñan Tatak Gel]] || Rizal Switch Fiber |- | align=center | U-16 | San Pedro Spartans || Makabagong San Juan Mighty Warriors |- | align=center | U-18 | Palawan Yurich Builders || Rizal Switch Fiber |- | align=center | D-League (U-21) | Pasig Servants || [[Caloocan Batang Kankaloo|Caloocan JY Batang Kankaloo]] |}

== Impact ==

=== Player development and movement === [[File:PBA 2025May23 NLEXvCON CON JustineBaltazar.jpg|thumb|200px|upright|right|[[Justine Baltazar]] (pictured with the [[Converge FiberXers]]) led the [[Pampanga Giant Lanterns]] to back-to-back titles in 2023 and 2024 before joining the PBA.]]

Over time, the MPBL has grown to become a hub for collegiate players or prospects to play competitive basketball before joining top-flight leagues such as the [[Philippine Basketball Association]]. Its earliest prospects include former [[NBA D-League]] player [[Bobby Ray Parks Jr.]] and future two-time [[PBA Finals Most Valuable Player award|PBA Finals MVP]] [[Mikey Williams (basketball, born 1991)|Mikey Williams]], both of whom went on to be drafted highly in the PBA.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Lozada |first1=Bong |title=PBA approves Ray Parks trade to TNT |url=https://sports.inquirer.net/372157/pba-approves-ray-parks-trade-to-tnt |access-date=March 8, 2021 |newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer |date=November 3, 2019 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rappler.com/sports/pba/tnt-katropa-signs-mikey-williams-deal/ |title=TNT signs rookie Mikey Williams to 2-year deal |date=April 26, 2021 |website=Rappler}}</ref> The PBA drafts in both [[PBA season 49 draft|season 49 (2024)]] and [[PBA season 50 draft|season 50 (2025)]] saw [[Justine Baltazar]] and [[Geo Chiu]], respectively, selected with the first overall pick. Both players had stints in the MPBL prior to selection.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Baltazar likely to finish MPBL season before moving to PBA |url=https://www.spin.ph/basketball/pba/justine-baltazar-may-finish-mpbl-season-with-pampanga-before-moving-to-pba-a795-20240710 |access-date=2024-07-14 |website=Spin.ph |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Ballesteros |first1=Jan |title=Geo Chiu to make PBA debut with Terrafirma a little later, find out why |url=https://www.onesports.ph/pba/article/35382/geo-chiu-to-make-pba-debut-with-terrafirma-a-little-later-find-out-why |website=One Sports |access-date=2025-09-08 |date=2025-09-07}}</ref> Among other notable prospects include [[Aris Dionisio]], [[Kemark Cariño]], [[CJ Cansino]], [[Jason Brickman]], and [[Mike Phillips (basketball, born 2002)|Mike Phillips]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Li |first1=Matthew |title=Mike Phillips reinforces Maroon 4 in San Juan |url=https://tiebreakertimes.com.ph/tbt/mike-phillips-reinforces-maroon-4-in-san-juan/370680 |website=Tiebreaker Times |access-date=2026-04-03 |date=2026-04-01}}</ref>

In recent years, the league has also positioned itself as an alternative to the PBA, with players such as [[Encho Serrano]] and [[Dave Ildefonso]] choosing to compete in the regional league instead of the top-flight.<ref>{{cite news |last=Ramos |first=Gerry |title=Serrano declines Phoenix's two-year offer, chooses to play in MPBL |url=https://www.spin.ph/basketball/pba/encho-serrano-declines-two-year-offer-from-phoenix-a793-20230523 |access-date=September 22, 2023 |work=Spin.ph}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Ganglani |first=Naveen |date=2025-02-07 |title=Dave Ildefonso Joins Abra Weavers in MPBL |url=https://all-starmagazine.com/news-and-updates/dave-ildefonso-joins-abra-weavers-in-mpbl/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR2hbEilVF-oxevtlIzTFYK8WLB6dHjRKsqaJ6d7cMNK9MoCeZaYaPI8xqI_aem_7niajWYJ5UkaTcV5I0SVTA |access-date=2025-02-08 |website=ALL-STAR |language=en-US}}</ref> Some were reported to be earning salaries equivalent to or larger than the {{Philippine peso|420,000}} maximum salary offered by the PBA.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Sayson |first1=Homer D. |title=COLUMN: Abra Solid North Weavers' star signings didn't come cheap |url=https://www.spin.ph/basketball/mpbl/column-abra-solid-north-weavers-star-signings-didn-t-come-cheap-a2244-20260408 |website=SPIN.ph |access-date=2026-04-09 |date=2026-04-09}}</ref> However, players are subject to bans from the PBA due to playing should it be considered ''[[ligang labas]]'', including [[Kyt Jimenez]] and [[Larry Muyang]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-01-28 |title=Kyt Jimenez's PBA ban still open for appeal |url=https://www.spin.ph/basketball/pba/kyt-jimenez-s-impending-pba-ban-still-open-for-appeal-a1374-20250128 |access-date=2025-02-21 |website=Spin.ph |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Terrado |first=Reuben |date=April 12, 2025 |title=PBA hits Larry Muyang with indefinite ban for breach of contract |url=https://www.spin.ph/basketball/pba/larry-muyang-gets-pba-indefinite-ban-for-breach-of-contract-a795-20250413 |access-date=April 13, 2025 |website=Spin.ph |language=en}}</ref>

The growth of the league also led to the PBA creating new regulations which aimed to further minimize player movement between the two leagues. In August 2025, the league began banning players under expiring contracts who decide move to other leagues, domestic or international.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Terrado |first1=Jonas |title=PBA cracks whip to curb player exodus with new 3-year ban rule |url=https://sports.inquirer.net/634559/pba-cracks-whip-to-curb-player-exodus-with-new-rules |website=[[Philippine Daily Inquirer]] |access-date=2026-04-05 |date=2025-08-06}}</ref> In January 2026, players must not have existing contractual obligations with other teams before the draft proper. At the time, the PBA draft is held around the same time as the MPBL reaches the back end of the regular season and into the postseason.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Terrado |first1=Jonas |title=PBA bars draft applicants with active contracts in other leagues |url=https://sports.inquirer.net/659275/pba-bars-draft-applicants-with-active-contracts-in-other-leagues |website=[[Philippine Daily Inquirer]] |access-date=2026-01-20 |date=2026-01-20}}</ref>

=== Spin-off leagues === {{See also|Maharlika Pilipinas Volleyball Association|Women's Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League}} Following the success of the MPBL, Pacquiao has made further developments in [[grassroots]]-based sports. On June 15, 2023, the Junior MPBL was unveiled in a press conference. The youth-oriented league's inaugural season began on July 9, 2023, with teams competing in 14-under, 16-under, and 18-under divisions.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2023-06-16|title=Pacquiao puts spotlight on homegrown hoop talents in Junior MPBL|url=https://www.rappler.com/sports/pacquiao-puts-spotlight-homegrown-hoop-talents-junior-maharlika-pilipinas-basketball-league/|access-date=2023-06-17|website=RAPPLER|language=en-US}}</ref> The junior league features a 21-under division, billed as the "Junior MPBL D-League". In the same press conference, Pacquiao also shared intent to create a [[volleyball]] counterpart similar to the MPBL that will cater to female players.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web|title=Pacquiao sets up Junior MPBL|url=https://mb.com.ph/2023/6/16/pacquiao-sets-up-junior-mpbl|access-date=2023-06-21|website=Manila Bulletin|language=en}}</ref> That league would be known as the [[Maharlika Pilipinas Volleyball Association]] (MPVA) and began on October 22, 2023, with eight teams.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|last=Escarlote|first=Mark|date=2023-08-12|title=Pacquiao launching volleyball tournament|url=https://sports.tribune.net.ph/2023/08/12/pacquiao-launching-volleyball-tournament/|access-date=2023-08-25|website=Daily Tribune Sports|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Villanueva|first=Ralph Edwin|title=Pacquiao-founded volleyball league to showcase homegrown talent|url=https://www.philstar.com/sports/2023/09/15/2296530/pacquiao-founded-volleyball-league-showcase-homegrown-talent|access-date=2023-09-15|website=Philstar.com}}</ref> On October 27, 2024, it was reported that a direct women's counterpart, the [[Women's Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League]] is in development. [[UST Growling Tigers, Tigresses, Tiger Cubs and Tigress Cubs|UST Growling Tigers]] [[coach (sport)|coach]] [[Haydee Ong]] was set to be the first commissioner of the women's league.<ref name=":4">{{cite news |last1=Valencia |first1=Justin |title=Haydee Ong aims to elevate women's basketball as WMPBL commissioner |url=https://tiebreakertimes.com.ph/tbt/haydee-ong-aims-to-elevate-womens-basketball-as-wmpbl-commissioner/317829 |access-date=27 October 2024 |work=Tiebreaker Times |date=27 October 2024}}</ref>

== Media coverage == Since 2025, [[Solar Entertainment Corporation]] has held the television broadcast rights to the league via [[Solar Sports]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Maragay |first=Dino |date=2025-03-04 |title=MPBL, Pacquiao find familiar home on television |url=https://www.philstar.com/sports/2025/03/04/2425795/mpbl-pacquiao-find-familiar-home-television |access-date=2025-03-04 |website=Philstar.com}}</ref> The current agreement, which took into effect in 2026, allows the network to air up to twelve games per week, in addition to all playoff games.<ref name="broadcast2026">{{cite web |last1=Ulanday |first1=John Bryan |title=MPBL, Solar Sports renew broadcast partnership |url=https://www.philstar.com/sports/2026/03/25/2516746/mpbl-solar-sports-renew-broadcast-partnership |website=[[The Philippine Star]] |access-date=2026-03-25 |date=2026-03-25}}</ref> The league has also streamed all games through its social media platforms and other online services.

In the past, the MPBL has also partnered with [[ABS-CBN Sports]] from 2018 to 2022,<ref>{{cite news|title=ABS-CBN S+A is broadcaster of Pacman's cage league|url=http://thestandard.com.ph/sports/basketball/256163/abs-cbn-s-a-is-broadcaster-of-pacman-s-cage-league.html|access-date=23 January 2018|work=Manila Standard|date=12 January 2018}}</ref> [[Fox Sports (Asian TV network)|Fox Sports]] from 2018 to 2019, [[Intercontinental Broadcasting Corporation|IBC]] and [[TAP Digital Media Ventures Corporation|TAP DMV]] in 2021,<ref>{{cite news |last1=Terrado |first1=Reuben |date=2 December 2021 |title=Where to watch the MPBL Invitational games |url=https://www.spin.ph/life/guide/where-to-watch-the-mpbl-invitational-games-television-livestreaming-a795-20211202 |access-date=10 December 2021 |work=Sports Interactive Network Philippines |language=en}}</ref> and [[Cignal TV]] from 2022 to 2024.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |date=2022-04-09 |title=MPBL partners with Cignal TV for fourth season |url=https://tiebreakertimes.com.ph/tbt/mpbl-partners-with-cignal-tv-for-fourth-season/236844 |access-date=2023-06-07 |website=Tiebreaker Times |language=en-US}}</ref>

The two highest executive roles in the league are the president and the commissioner. The commissioner of the MPBL was established from the start with [[Snow Badua]] appointed as the inaugural commissioner in 2017. but was succeeded by [[Kenneth Duremdes]] later in the year. In 2026, Duremdes was promoted to president of the MPBL after eight years as commissioner. Former head of operations [[Emmerson Oreta]] took over as the league's third commissioner.<ref name="leadership">{{cite web |last1=Rosal |first1=Glendale G. |title=Duremdes named MPBL chief, Oreta assumes as commissioner |url=https://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/689375/duremdes-named-mpbl-chief-oreta-assumes-as-commissioner |website=Cebu Daily News |publisher=[[Philippine Daily Inquirer]] |access-date=2026-01-18 |date=2026-01-17}}</ref>

=== Presidents === {| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center" ! rowspan=2 | President ! colspan=2 | Tenure |- ! From !! To |- | {{sortname|Kenneth|Duremdes}} || {{dts|2026|1|17}} || ''Incumbent'' |}

=== Commissioners === {| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center" ! rowspan=2| Commissioner ! colspan=2| Tenure |- ! From !! To |- | {{sortname|Snow|Badua}} || {{dts|2017|08|29}} || {{dts|2017|11|22}} |- | {{sortname|Kenneth|Duremdes}} || {{dts|2017|11|22}} || {{dts|2026|1|17}} |- | {{sortname|Emmerson|Oreta}} || {{dts|2026|1|17}} || ''Incumbent'' |}

== See also == * [[Maharlika Pilipinas Volleyball Association]] * [[Women's Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League]] * [[List of MPBL champions]] * [[List of MPBL records]] * [[List of MPBL awards]] * [[List of MPBL seasons]] * [[List of MPBL rivalries]]

== References == {{reflist}}

== External links == * [https://mpbl.web.geniussports.com Genius Sports] – scores and statistics

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