The current fifth season of the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League is the 2023 campaign (MPBL). On March 11, 2023, the season started. A 29 clubs are competing this season, including two expansion teams and five teams making their league debuts.

After defeating the Brand Sardines of the Zamboanga Family by a score of three games to one in the 2022 MPBL Finals, the Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards will begin the season as the reigning champions. Zamboanga defeated Nueva Ecija, 88-80, in the 2023 Preseason Invitational final between the two clubs. 

A Game Update

Batangas vs Bacoor

At the Batangas City Coliseum last, Batangas City Embassy Chill and Bacoor defeated their rivals and caught up to the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) Fifth Season leaders.

In the nightcap, the Athletics shut down the Iloilo United Royals in the fourth quarter to win easily, 78-55, while Bacoor held off Valenzuela XUR Homes Realty Inc.’s late comeback to win, 76-68, in the first game of the tripleheader.

In the 29-team tournament, Batangas, which won the MPBL Rajah Cup in 2018, and Bacoor, who ended its losing streak there, both improved to 3-0 records and joined dormant Nueva Ecija, Bulacan, and Quezon Province at the top.

The Batanguenos raced away after a poor start that saw them trail at 16-19 by holding the Ilonggos to just five points while scoring 20 of their own in the final ten minutes.

Rhaffy Octobre, a recent signing, scored 14 points to lead Batangas, followed by MJ Dela Virgen with 13, including eight in the last frame, and Jeckster Apinan with 10 points and 13 rebounds, four blocks, and three assists.

Only Genmar Bragais was able to score for Iloilo in double digits; Noah Korovesi, a Fil-Canadian, led the team with 11. In Iloilo’s third straight loss, the 6-foot-3 Korovesi finished with five points and six rebounds.

Pasig defeats Rizal in the MPBL

Pasig City MCW Sports defeated Rizal Xentro Mall 82–64 by utilizing a sophisticated running strategy.

The Pasig City Team has been sponsored by MCW for the past two seasons. 

With the offense being spearheaded by Ryan Paule Costelo and Kenny Roger Rocacruva, Pasig pulled away at 63-40 and went on to win its first game in the 29-team league.

Rocacurva, a former Wildcat from the Cebu Institute of Technology-University who hails from the Camotes Islands north of Bicol and east of Cebu, dazzled with 23 points, 5 rebounds, 2 steals, and 1 assist in his first game for Pasig.

With 19 points, 5 assists, 3 steals, and 1 assist, the diminutive Costelo complemented Rocacurva as they pursued the Golden Coolers, who suffered their second straight loss.

The dynamic combination was also successful from a distance, with Rocacurva making 4 of 6 attempts and Costelo connecting on 5 of 7 triple efforts as Pasig recorded an incredible 52 percent (13 of 25) from long range.

Pasig also performed well at the free-throw line, making eight of ten attempts (87.5 percent) while missing just one.

With 8 and 7 points, respectively, John Felix Corpuz and Jeric James Pido also contributed to Pasig’s success.

For Pasig, which outscored opponents 56-42, Jason Ballesteros and Lander Canon dominated the boards as Rocacruva and Costelo took command of the attack. Ballesteros and Canon each pulled down 12 rebounds, with Ballesteros no longer limited by ailments.

Troy Mallillin scored 11 points for Rizal, and Alvin John Capobres scored 10.

In addition to Shane Menina’s 15 points, Robbi Manalang’s 14 points, Michael Maestre’s 11 points plus eight rebounds, and Rocacurva’s game-high 18 points, nine rebounds, four assists, and three steals, Rocacurva was named Pasig’s best player.