The 2023 MPBL All-Star Game was an exhibition game played on September 16, 2023, during the 2023 season of the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL). It was the fourth edition of the event, which took place at the Bataan People's Center in Balanga, Bataan, the home arena of the Bataan Risers.
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| Date | September 16, 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||
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| Venue | Bataan People's Center, Balanga, Bataan | ||||||||||||||||||
| MVP | Justine Baltazar | ||||||||||||||||||
| Network | Cignal TV (One PH, MPTV) | ||||||||||||||||||
The North Division won against the South Division for the first time with a score of 99–91. Justine Baltazar was declared the All-Star Game MVP.[1]
All-Star Game
editCoaches
editThe two coaches of each division's highest-ranked team up to that point coached the all-star rosters of their respective divisions. On September 1, 2023, it was revealed that Governor Dennis Pineda of the Pampanga Giant Lanterns would coach the North All-Stars, and Alex Angeles of the Bacoor City Strikers would coach the South All-Stars.
Lineups
editThe South Division reserves were announced on September 9, 2023. Former MVP John Wilson of the GenSan Warriors earned his second all-star selection alongside Marco Balagtas of the Muntinlupa Cagers, the latter joined teammate and first-time all-star JL Delos Santos. CJ Catapusan and Renzo Navarro both made their all-star debuts for Iloilo while Lucena mayor Mark Alcala earned his first selection for Quezon. Bacoor City's James Kwekuteye, Batangas City's Mark Neil Cruz, Imus's Jimboy Estrada, and Zamboanga's Joseph Gabayni also earned their first all-star selections.[2]
The South Division starters were announced on September 10, 2023. Kyt Jimenez of the GenSan Warriors and reigning MVP Jaycee Marcelino of the Zamboanga Family's Brand Sardines started for the second straight season after earning their second all-star selections. Starters that also made their first appearance in the All-Star Game include Bacoor City's Michael Cañete, Batangas City's Jeckster Apinan, and Imus's Poypoy Actub.
The North Division reserves were announced on September 11, 2023. Troy Mallillin of the Rizal Golden Coolers made his second all-star appearance alongside teammate Jboy Gob, who made his first all-star appearance. Representing the hosting Bataan Risers was first-time all-star Yves Sazon. All joining the All-Star Game for the first time were Bulacan's Rence Alcoriza, Makati's Emman Calo, Marikina's Felipe Chavez, Nueva Ecija's Roi Sumang, Pasig City's Jason Ballesteros and Ryan Costello, and San Juan's Adrian Nocum.[3]
The North Division starters were announced on September 12, 2023. Robby Celiz of the Makati OKBet Kings and Will McAloney of the Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards made their second all-star appearance, with the former also earning his first starter selection. The Pampanga duo of Justine Baltazar and Encho Serrano made their all-star debuts alongside San Juan's Orlan Wamar Jr.[4]
The South Division replacements were announced on September 15, 2023. Jhan Nermal of the Bacoor City Strikers started in place of injured teammate Michael Cañete. Iloilo's CJ Catapusan opted out for personal reasons and was replaced by teammate Josh Flores as a reserve. Muntinlupa's John Amores took the reserve spot of JL Delos Santos due to the latter's collegiate commitments with José Rizal University.
- Notes
- ^ Michael Cañete was initially announced as a starter but was replaced by Jhan Nermal due to injury.
- ^ JL Delos Santos was initially announced as a reserve but was replaced by John Amores due to collegiate commitments.
- ^ CJ Catapusan was initially announced as a reserve but was replaced by Josh Flores due to personal reasons.
Game
editSeptember 16 |
| North All-Stars | 99–91 | South All-Stars |
| Scoring by quarter: 31–21, 24–19, 15–28, 29–23 | ||
Bataan People's Center, Balanga, Bataan |
Pre-game events
editExecutives' Game
editMPBL founder Manny Pacquiao won his second Executives' Game MVP award as the South Executives defeated the North Executives, 114–63.[5]
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Three-Point Shooutout
edit| Player | Team | First round | Final round |
|---|---|---|---|
| Orlan Wamar Jr. | San Juan Knights | 21 | 20 |
| Domark Matillano | Bacolod City of Smiles | 17 | 18 |
| Robbie Manalang | Pasig City MCW Sports | 19 | 14 |
| Levi Hernandez | Batangas City Embassy Chill | 16 | DNQ |
| Jonathan Uyloan | Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards | 16 | |
| Al Francis Tamsi | Quezon Huskers | 15 | |
| Joshua Santos | Bataan Risers | 14 | |
| Enzo Joson | GenSan Warriors | 13 | |
| James Castro | Bataan Risers | 12 | |
| John Umali | Parañaque Patriots | 12 | |
| Jeramer Cabanag | Caloocan Batang Kankaloo | 10 | |
| Jayson Apolonio | Pampanga Giant Lanterns | 7 | |
| Val Acuña | Muntinlupa Cagers | DNP | |
- Notes
- Player highlighted in gold is the event's defending champion.
- Players highlighted in green are contestants from the hosting team.
Slam Dunk Showdown
edit| Player | Team | First round | Final round |
|---|---|---|---|
| CJ Gania | Pampanga Giant Lanterns | 89 (41+48) | 50 |
| Justine Guevarra | Bulacan Kuyas | 90 (48+42) | 45 |
| Poypoy Actub | Imus SV Squad | 99 (50+49) | 32 |
| Ximone Xandagon | Quezon Huskers | 85 (44+41) | DNQ |
| Mike Alvarez | GenSan Warriors | 75 (38+37) | |
| Val Fornilos | Marikina Shoemasters | DNP | |
| Alex Ramos | Bataan Risers | ||
| Rhinwil Yambing | San Juan Knights | ||
- Notes
- Players highlighted in green are contestants from the hosting team.
References
edit- ^ Sports, Manila Standard (September 17, 2023). "North subdues South in MPBL All-Star Game; Pacquiao, Wamar, Gania shine in side events". Manila Standard. Retrieved December 31, 2023.
- ^ "SOUTH ALL STARS RESERVES REVEALED". Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League. September 9, 2023. Retrieved December 31, 2023 – via Facebook.
- ^ "MAKE WAY FOR THE NORTH ALL STARS RESERVES". Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League. September 11, 2023. Retrieved December 31, 2023 – via Facebook.
- ^ "PAMPANGA DYNAMIC DUO TO LEAD NORTH ALL STARS". Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League. September 12, 2023. Retrieved December 31, 2023 – via Facebook.
- ^ "8X World Champion Manny Pacquiao Turns Nikola Jokic, as He Registers an Incredible Triple-Double in the All-Star Game". EssentiallySports. September 17, 2023. Retrieved December 31, 2023.