The 2022 MPBL Finals was the championship series of the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League's (MPBL) 2022 season and the conclusion of the season's playoffs. In the best-of-five playoff, the North Division champion Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards defeated the South Division champion Zamboanga Family's Brand Sardines, as they won the league's fourth championship.[1] Byron Villarias named as the season's Finals MVP.[2]
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| Dates | December 2–12, 2022 | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MVP | Byron Villarias | |||||||||
| Northern finals | Nueva Ecija def. San Juan, 2–1 | |||||||||
| Southern finals | Zamboanga def. Batangas City, 2–1 | |||||||||
First-seeded Nueva Ecija (21–0) held homecourt advantage for the series, having a better record than Zamboanga (18–3). This marks the first Finals appearance for both teams.
This was the first Finals series in which neither team is based in Metro Manila.
Background
editNueva Ecija Rice Vanguards
editThe Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards finished the 2021 MPBL Invitational as runner-up after being defeated by the Basilan Peace Riders on a championship-winning basket in overtime. They finished the regular season with a 21–0 win-loss record, making them the first team to go undefeated in the regular season. Because of this, the Rice Vanguards were able to clinch the first seed overall and homecourt advantage throughout the playoffs. In the first two rounds of the playoffs, The Rice Vanguards easily won against the Marikina Shoemasters and the Pampanga Giant Lanterns both in two games each. In the Northern Division Finals, they met the 2021 season runner-up San Juan Knights, battling for the Northern Division title. In Game 1, the Rice Vanguards was defeated by the Knights for the first time this season, but they managed to win the next two games, bringing the Rice Vanguards to their first North Division title and first Finals appearance.[3]
Zamboanga Family's Brand Sardines
editThe Zamboanga Family's Brand Sardines ended their regular season with 18–3 win-loss record to become the top seed in the South Division and clinch homecourt advantage for the division playoffs. They easily defeated the Muntinlupa Cagers in the first round and then forced a Game 3 against the Bacolod Bingo Plus in the Division Semifinals. In the Division Finals, they faced the 2018 MPBL champion Batangas City Embassy Chill, where they lost the first game, but forced Game 3 and won, to claim the South Division title and bring Zamboanga to their first Finals appearance.[4]
Road to the Finals
editHead-to-head matchup
editAugust 8 9:00 pm |
| 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 | |
Nueva Ecija Coliseum, Palayan, Nueva Ecija |
Series summary
edit| Game | Date | Away team | Result | Home team | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | December 2 | Zamboanga Family's Brand Sardines | 75–81 (0–1) | Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards | Nueva Ecija Coliseum |
| 2 | December 5 | Zamboanga Family's Brand Sardines | 74–75 (0–2) | Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards | Nueva Ecija Coliseum |
| 3 | December 9 | Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards | 65–75 (2–1) | Zamboanga Family's Brand Sardines | Mayor Vitaliano D. Agan Coliseum |
| 4 | December 12 | Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards | 69–56 (3–1) | Zamboanga Family's Brand Sardines | Mayor Vitaliano D. Agan Coliseum |
Game summaries
editGame 1
editDecember 2 6:30 pm |
| Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards | 81–75 | Zamboanga Family's Brand Sardines |
| Scoring by quarter: 15–14, 14–16, 27–18, 25–27 | ||
| Pts: Hesed Gabo 22 Rebs: Michael Juico 11 Asts: Hesed Gabo 6 | Pts: Chris Dumapig 15 Rebs: Jhaymo Enguilos 8 Asts: Jaycee Marcelino 8 | |
| Nueva Ecija lead series, 1–0 | ||
Nueva Ecija Coliseum, Palayan, Nueva Ecija Referees: J. Belnas, R. Brila, J. Castroverde, |
Game 2
editDecember 5 6:30 pm |
| Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards | 75–74 | Zamboanga Family's Brand Sardines |
| Scoring by quarter: 13–20, 24–18, 21–12, 17–24 | ||
| Pts: Jay Collado 13 Rebs: Michael Juico, Will McAloney 9 Asts: Michael Mabulac 4 | Pts: Jaycee Marcelino 26 Rebs: Jaycee Marcelino 7 Asts: three players 4 | |
| Nueva Ecija lead series, 2–0 | ||
Nueva Ecija Coliseum, Palayan, Nueva Ecija Referees: S. Pingolz, J. Ocfemia, B. Estroga, |
Game 3
editDecember 9 9:00 pm |
| Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards | 65–75 | Zamboanga Family's Brand Sardines |
| Scoring by quarter: 16–16, 12–22, 20–15, 17–22 | ||
| Pts: Michael Mabulac 15 Rebs: Michael Mavulac, Will McAloney 8 Asts: Chris Bitoon 6 | Pts: Jaycee Marcelino 22 Rebs: Jaycee Marcelino 10 Asts: Jaycee Marcelino 9 | |
| Nueva Ecija lead series 2–1 | ||
Mayor Vitaliano D. Agan Coliseum, Zamboanga City Referees: A. Manzano, J. Macailo, E. Villarosa, |
Game 4
editDecember 12 6:30 pm |
| Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards | 69–56 | Zamboanga Family's Brand Sardines |
| Scoring by quarter: 15–15, 25–9, 9–16, 20–16 | ||
| Pts: John Villarias 14 Rebs: John Villarias, JR Taganas 10 Asts: Hesed Gabo 9 | Pts: Jaycee Marcelino 17 Rebs: Jhaymo Enguilos, Ralph Tansingco 8 Asts: Jayvee Marcelino 3 | |
| Nueva Ecija wins series 3–1 | ||
Mayor Vitaliano D. Agan Coliseum, Zamboanga City |
Broadcast notes
editThis marked the first year of Cignal TV's rights to the MPBL Finals. The series was broadcast on One PH and One Sports+ on television, and was also streamed via Facebook, YouTube, and Kumu.
| Game | One PH and One Sports+ (Delayed Telecast) | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Play-by-play | Analyst | Courtside reporter | |
| Game 1 | Cedelf Tupas | Jayvee Gayoso | Mica Abesamis |
| Game 2 | Cedelf Tupas | Louie Gonzalez | Gianna Lianes |
| Game 3 | Migs Gomez | Javi Palaña | Sel Guevara and Sydney Crespo |
| Game 4 | Migs Gomez | Javi Palaña | Mica Abesamis and Sydney Crespo |
Prizes
editThis season featured a new design for the championship trophy, steering away from a design modelled after the National Basketball Association's (NBA) Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy. Alongside the trophy, rings were given to the players of the championship-winning team.
The MPBL Finals Most Valuable Player Award and Coach of the Year awards are also given out during the trophy ceremony.
References
edit- ^ Saldajeno, Ivan Stewart (November 29, 2022). "Tough grind awaits Zamboanga, Nueva Ecija in MPBL Finals". Philippine News Agency. Retrieved December 2, 2022.
- ^ "Nueva Ecija finishes off Zamboanga in Game 4 to lift MPBL trophy". spin.ph. December 12, 2022. Retrieved December 13, 2022.
- ^ "Nueva Ecija clinches MPBL North division crown". Rappler. December 2, 2022. Retrieved November 26, 2022.
- ^ "Zamboanga completes huge comeback to seal MPBL Finals date vs. Nueva Ecija". Dugour. December 2, 2022. Retrieved November 26, 2022.