2022 MPBL playoffs

2022 OKBet-MPBL Playoffs presented by Xtreme Appliances
Tournament details
Country	Philippines
Dates	October 15 – December 12, 2022
Teams	16
Defending champions	Davao Occidental Tigers (Did not participate in the season)
Final positions
Champions	Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards
Runner-up	Zamboanga Family's Brand Sardines
Semifinalists	San Juan Knights Batangas City Embassy Chill
Tournament statistics
Matches played	36
←  2020–21 2023 →

The 2022 MPBL playoffs was the postseason tournament of the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League's 2022 season, the league's fourth overall, and the third under the 16-team format. The postseason tournament began on October 15, 2022, two days after the end of the regular season on October 13, 2022, and concluded on December 12, 2022, following the conclusion of the 2022 MPBL Finals. ^[1]

The Finals saw North Division champions Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards face against South Division champions Zamboanga Family's Brand Sardines. Nueva Ecija beat Zamboanga in four games to win the championship series. Byron Villarias was crowned MPBL Finals MVP.

For sponsorship reasons, this playoff series was also known as the 2022 OKBet-MPBL Playoffs presented by Xtreme Appliances.

Overview

• The Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards entered the playoffs for the first time in team history and also clinched the best record in the league for the first time.
• The Zamboanga Family's Brand Sardines entered the playoffs for the third consecutive season and clinched the best record in the South Division for the first time in team history.
• The Bataan Risers and Batangas City Embassy Chill entered the playoffs for the fourth consecutive season.
• The Bacoor City Strikers, GenSan Warriors, and San Juan Knights entered the playoffs for the third consecutive season.
• The Pampanga Giant Lanterns and Pasig City MCW Sports entered the playoffs for the second consecutive season.
• The Bacolod Bingo Plus, Marikina Shoemasters, Rizal Golden Coolers, and Sarangani Marlins entered the playoffs for the first time in team history.
• The Muntinlupa Cagers and Quezon City MG entered the playoffs for the first time since 2019.
• The Valenzuela XUR Homes Realty Inc. entered the playoffs for the first time since 2018.
• The Makati × MNL Kingpin and Manila Stars missed the playoffs for the first time since entering the league.
  • Due to departing from the league, the Bulacan Kuyas and Davao Occidental Tigers also missed the playoffs for the first time since entering the league.
• The Laguna Heroes missed the playoffs for the third consecutive season.

Format

The top eight teams from each division advanced to the playoffs. Seeding was changed in this season, in that teams are seeded by wins and not winning percentage. Tiebreaker rules were applied with teams that have the same record. The single-elimination bracket consisted of four rounds with no reseeding. The first three rounds were best-of-three series and the National Finals was a best-of-five series.

During the first two rounds, two games within the same division were played in a gameday, with homecourt advantage alternating between the higher-seeded teams of each series. A traditional homecourt format was then used for the last two rounds, with the Division Finals using a 1-1-1 format and the National Finals using a 2-2-1 format. The designated home team may not be able to play within its home locality. Should it occur, the gameday may take place elsewhere.

Division standings

Bracket

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 (Best-of-3)

Division Semifinals (Best-of-3)

Division Finals (Best-of-3)

National Finals (Best-of-5)

N1

Nueva Ecija

2

N8

Marikina

0

N1

Nueva Ecija

2

N4

Pampanga

0

N4

Pampanga

2

N5

Bataan

1

N1

Nueva Ecija

2

North Division

N3

San Juan

1

N2

Pasig

2

N7

Quezon City

0

N2

Pasig

0

N3

San Juan

2

N3

San Juan

2

N6

Valenzuela

0

N1

Nueva Ecija

3

S1

Zamboanga

1

S1

Zamboanga

2

S8

Muntinlupa

0

S1

Zamboanga

2

S5

Bacolod

1

S4

General Santos

1

S5

Bacolod

2

S1

Zamboanga

2

South Division

S2

Batangas City

1

S2

Batangas City

2

S7

Bacoor City

1

S2

Batangas City

2

S6

Rizal

0

S3

Sarangani

0

S6

Rizal

2

First round

Northern Division

(1) Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards vs. (8) Marikina Shoemasters

This is the first playoff meeting between the Rice Vanguards and the Shoemasters.

Head-to-head matchup
One PH IWantTFC August 15 5:00 pm Boxscore Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards 99–77 Marikina Shoemasters Scoring by quarter: 17–23, 28–22, 25–7, 29–25 Pts: John Villarias 25 Rebs: Michael Juico 9 Asts: John Raymundo 10 Pts: Nhomer Gonzales 23 Rebs: Nhomer Gonzales 9 Asts: Antonio Joson 8 Bren Guiao Convention Center, San Fernando, Pampanga Referees: Jonald Belnas, Hyram Scott, Reynaldo Gabriel

(2) Pasig City MCW Sports vs. (8) Quezon City MG

This is the first playoff meeting between Pasig City and Quezon City MG.

Head-to-head matchup
One PH IWantTFC August 13 7:00 pm Boxscore Pasig City 73–76 Quezon City MG Scoring by quarter: 22–22, 16–10, 23–23, 12–21 Pts: Robbie Manalang 21 Rebs: Jason Melano 12 Asts: Jason Melano 5 Pts: Kent Lao 15 Rebs: Jerick Nacpil 6 Asts: Marcy Arellano 10 STRIKE Gymnasium, Bacoor, Cavite

(3) San Juan Knights vs. (8) Valenzuela XUR Homes Realty Inc.

This is the first playoff meeting between the Knights and Valenzuela. ^[2]

Head-to-head matchup
One PH IWantTFC May 30 9:00 pm Boxscore San Juan Knights 90–74 Valenzuela XUR Homes Realty Inc. Scoring by quarter: 17–12, 24–20, 27–20, 22–22 Pts: Mark Acosta 18 Rebs: Jammer Jamito 7 Asts: Mon Abundo 6 Pts: Patrick Cabahug 15 Rebs: Felix Apreku 19 Asts: three players 2 Filoil EcoOil Centre, San Juan

(4) Pampanga Giant Lanterns vs. (5) Bataan Risers

This is the second playoff meeting between the Giant Lanterns and Risers with the Giant Lanterns winning the first one in the 2020–21 playoffs. ^[3]

Head-to-head matchup
One PH IWantTFC September 12 9:00 pm Boxscore Pampanga Giant Lanterns 86–83 Bataan Risers Scoring by quarter: 25–13, 15–15, 30–28, 16–27 Pts: Alex Ramos 17 Rebs: Alex Ramos 11 Asts: Christopher Lagrama 8 Pts: James Castro 24 Rebs: Jethro Sombero 11 Asts: Kristoffer Torrado 11 Bren Guiao Convention Center, San Fernando, Pampanga Referees: Ramon Santiago Jr., Edmar Avis, Benjie Estroga

Previous playoffs series

Pampanga leads 1–0 in all-time playoff series
2020 Pampanga Giant Lanterns 2, Bataan Risers 0 2020 Northern Division First Round

Southern Division

(1) Zamboanga Family's Brand Sardines vs. (8) Muntinlupa Cagers

This is the second playoff meeting between Zamboanga and the Cagers with Zamboanga winning the first one in the 2019 playoffs. ^[2]

Head-to-head matchup

One PH IWantTFC August 29 5:00 pm Boxscore Zamboanga Family's Brand Sardines 80–77 Muntinlupa Cagers Scoring by quarter: 8–22, 23–23, 30–15, 19–17 Pts: Chito Jaime 18 Rebs: Jayson Grimaldo 10 Asts: Jaycee Marcelino 6 Pts: Domark Matillano 18 Rebs: Harold Arboleda 9 Asts: John Catimbuhan, Jr. 8 Bren Guiao Convention Center, San Fernando, Pampanga Referees: Jonald Belnas, Eduardo Villarosa, Jun Macalio

Previous playoffs series

Zamboanga leads 1–0 in all-time playoff series
2019 Muntinlupa Cagers 1, Zamboanga Valientes 2 2019 Southern Division First Round

(2) Batangas City Embassy Chill vs. (7) Bacoor City Strikers

This is the first playoff meeting between Batangas City and the Strikers.

Head-to-head matchup
One PH IWantTFC August 30 7:00 pm Boxscore Batangas City Embassy Chill 87–86 Bacoor City Strikers Scoring by quarter: 21–21, 12–12, 23–20, 31–33 Pts: Levi Hernandez 25 Rebs: Jeckster Apinan, John Rey Villanueva 9 Asts: Jeckster Apinan 7 Pts: RJ Ramirez 18 Rebs: Mark Montuano 14 Asts: Ian Melencio 7 Orion Sports Complex, Orion, Bataan

(3) Sarangani Marlins vs. (6) Rizal EMKAI Xentromall

This is the first playoff meeting between the Marlins and Rizal.

Head-to-head matchup
One PH IWantTFC May 21 9:00 pm Boxscore Sarangani Marlins 94–83 Rizal EMKAI Xentromall Scoring by quarter: 20–16, 24–15, 26–24, 24–28 Pts: Kyt Jimenez 20 Rebs: Gabby Espinas 12 Asts: Yvan Ludovice 9 Pts: Laurenz Victoria 24 Rebs: Mark Benitez, Marwin Dionisio 6 Asts: Keanu Caballero 5 Ynares Center, Antipolo, Rizal Referees: Gerry Gabriel, Norberto Gica, Severino Pingol

(4) GenSan Warriors vs. (5) Bacolod Bingo Plus

This is the first playoff meeting between the Warriors and Bacolod.

Head-to-head matchup
One PH IWantTFC September 5 9:00 pm Boxscore GenSan Warriors 76–73 Bacolod Bingo Plus Scoring by quarter: 15–8, 28–29, 15–16, 18–20 Pts: Nikko Panganiban 16 Rebs: Marlon Gomez 13 Asts: Mark Cruz, Marlon Gomez 5 Pts: Mark Yee 22 Rebs: Mark Yee, Jhan Nermal 10 Asts: Aaron Jeruta 6 General Santos City Gym, General Santos Referees: Edmar Avis, Eduardo Villarosa, Benjie Estroga

Division semifinals

Northern Division

(1) Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards vs. (4) Pampanga Giant Lanterns

This is the first playoff meeting between the Rice Vanguards and the Giant Lanterns.

Head-to-head matchup
One PH IWantTFC September 23 9:00 pm Boxscore Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards 80–74 Pampanga Giant Lanterns Scoring by quarter: 19–23, 12–23, 25–16, 24–12 Pts: Hesed Gabo 17 Rebs: Bobby Balucanag 9 Asts: Hesed Gabo 5 Pts: Archie Concepcion 16 Rebs: Earnest Reyes, Michael Garcia 6 Asts: Christopher Lagrama 4 Nueva Ecija Coliseum, Palayan, Nueva Ecija

(2) Pasig City MCW Sports vs. (3) San Juan Knights

This is the first playoff meeting between Pasig City and the Knights.

Head-to-head matchup
One PH IWantTFC August 13 7:00 pm Boxscore Pasig City MCW Sports 68–64 San Juan Knights Scoring by quarter: 15–21, 22–12 37 33, 9–14 46 47, 24–17 Pts: Carlo Lastimosa 22 Rebs: Jason Melano 13 Asts: Robbie Manalang 5 Pts: Jammer Jamito 18 Rebs: Mon Abundo 11 Asts: Orlan Wamar 9 Batangas City Coliseum, Batangas City

Southern Division

(1) Zamboanga Family's Brand Sardines vs. (5) Bacolod Bingo Plus

This is the first playoff meeting between Zamboanga and Bacolod.

Head-to-head matchup
One PH IWantTFC July 19 9:00 pm Boxscore Zamboanga Family's Brand Sardines 74–71 Bacolod Bingo Plus Scoring by quarter: 24–15, 16–17, 15–24, 19–15 Pts: Jaycee Marcelino 18 Rebs: Jaycee Marcelino, Chito Jaime 12 Asts: Jaycee Marcelino 5 Pts: Mark Yee 16 Rebs: Mark Yee 12 Asts: Aaron Jeruta 5 USLS Coliseum, Bacolod

(2) Batangas City Embassy Chill vs. (6) Rizal Golden Coolers Xentromall

This is the first playoff meeting between Batangas City and the Golden Coolers.

Head-to-head matchup
One PH IWantTFC September 12 5:00 pm Boxscore Batangas City Embassy Chill 68–65 Rizal Golden Coolers Xentromall Scoring by quarter: 25–8, 19–14, 14–17, 10–26 Pts: Cedric Ablaza 13 Rebs: Jeckster Apinan 14 Asts: Jeckster Apinan, Joshua Gonzales 5 Pts: Laurenz Victoria 16 Rebs: Troy Mallillin 9 Asts: Keanu Caballero 8 Bren Guiao Convention Center, San Fernando, Pampanga

Division finals

Northern Division

(1) Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards vs. (3) San Juan Knights

This is the first playoff meeting between the Rice Vanguards and the Knights.

Head-to-head matchup
One PH IWantTFC July 12 9:00 pm Boxscore Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards 81–75 San Juan Knights Scoring by quarter: 18–23, 18–19, 18–21, 27–12 Pts: William McAloney 24 Rebs: Michael Juico 10 Asts: John Raymundo 6 Pts: Mark Anthony Acosta 13 Rebs: Jammer Jamito 8 Asts: Justin Gutang, Orlan Wamar 5 Nueva Ecija Coliseum, Palayan, Nueva Ecija

Southern Division

(1) Zamboanga Family's Brand Sardines vs. (2) Batangas City Embassy Chill

This is the second playoff meeting between Zamboanga and Batangas City with Zamboanga winning the first one in the 2020–21 playoffs.

Head-to-head matchup

One PH IWantTFC August 1 9:00 pm Boxscore Zamboanga Family's Brand Sardines 83–87 Batangas City Embassy Chill Scoring by quarter: 20–21, 18–9, 22–27, 23–30 Pts: Jaycee Marcelino 26 Rebs: Chris Dumapig 9 Asts: Jayvee Marcelino 6 Pts: Levi Hernandez 36 Rebs: Cedric Ablaza 21 Asts: Mark dela Virgen, Vincent Importante 3 Batangas City Coliseum, Batangas City Referees: Severino Pingol, Benjie Estroga, Allan Manzano

Previous playoffs series

Zamboanga leads 1–0 in all-time playoff series
2020 Batangas City Athletics 1, Zamboanga Family's Brand Sardines 2 2020 Southern Division First Round

2022 MPBL Finals: (N1) Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards vs. (S1) Zamboanga Family's Brand Sardines

The Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards and the Zamboanga Family's Brand Sardines competed in the MPBL Finals to determine the fourth MPBL champion.

This was the first championship meeting between the Rice Vanguards and Zamboanga.

Head-to-head matchup
One PH IWantTFC August 8 9:00 pm Boxscore Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards 81–76 Zamboanga Family's Brand Sardines Scoring by quarter: 11–13, 27–16, 21–27, 22–20 Pts: Michael Juico 16 Rebs: Michael Mabulac 7 Asts: Hesed Gabo 13 Pts: Jaycee Marcelino, Jerald Bautista 15 Rebs: Chris Dumapig 12 Asts: Irven Palencia 5

References