The 2022 MPBL season was the fourth season of the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) and the first as a professional league.[1] The regular season began on April 25, 2022 with opening ceremonies at the Batangas City Sports Coliseum in Batangas City, Batangas, and ended on October 13. The 2022 MPBL All-Star Game was also held at the Batangas City Coliseum on October 2. The playoffs then began on October 15 and ended on December 12 when the Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards defeated the Zamboanga Family's Brand Sardines in four games in the 2022 MPBL finals.

Quick Facts League, Sport ...
2022 MPBL season
LeagueMaharlika Pilipinas Basketball League
SportBasketball
DurationRegular season:
April 25 – October 13, 2022
Playoffs:
October 15 – November 26, 2022
Finals:
December 2 – 12, 2022
Number of games231 (regular season)
Number of teams22
TV partner(s)Cignal TV (One PH, One Sports+)
iWantTFC
Regular season
Top seedNueva Ecija Rice Vanguards
Season MVPJaycee Marcelino (Zamboanga)
Playoffs
North Division championsNueva Ecija Rice Vanguards
  North Division runners-upSan Juan Knights
South Division championsZamboanga Family's Brand Sardines
  South Division runners-upBatangas City Embassy Chill
Finals
ChampionsNueva Ecija Rice Vanguards
  Runners-upZamboanga Family's Brand Sardines
Finals MVPByron Villarias (Nueva Ecija)
MPBL seasons
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This season featured 22 teams, the first time the number of teams decreased from the previous season, as nine teams departed from the league.

This season also marked the first season of a partnership with sports betting platform OKBet as title sponsor of the league.[2][3][4]

Background

This was the MPBL's first full season following the events of the COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines, which caused the league's year-long suspension last season. Before the pandemic, the league was going to schedule a 2020–21 season for its fourth running beginning in June 12, 2020, but those plans were cancelled, and the fourth season was then moved to June 12, 2021. The June 2021 opening, however, didn't push through due to the prevailing restrictions, and the opening was postponed to the third quarter of 2021.[5]

On November 9, 2021, the MPBL announced that the league would be given professional status, which was granted by the Games and Amusement Board one month later.[6] League commissioner Kenneth Duremdes then announced that the season opener is once again postponed to 2022. To make up for the long gap, Duremdes also announced that an invitational tournament would be held in December 2021 to help teams prepare for the then-upcoming season.[7]

Teams

Team changes

This season saw the departure of nine teams. The Basilan Steel and Davao Occidental Tigers moved to other leagues while the Bicol Volcanoes, Bulacan Kuyas, Cebu Casino Ethyl Alcohol, Navotas Uni-Pak Sardines, Iloilo United Royals, Parañaque Patriots, and Pasay Voyagers all became inactive. The Negros Muscovados took part in the 2021 Invitational, but did not return for the regular season. This brought the team lineup down to 22 teams, the first time the league has contracted in size. It was also the first time there were no expansion teams. To balance the divisions, the Rizal Golden Coolers were realigned back to the South Division.

Arenas

Team switched divisions
New arena
More information Team, Arena ...
TeamArenaCapacity
North Division
Bataan RisersOrion Sports ComplexN/A
Caloocan ExcellenceCaloocan Sports Complex3,000
Makati × MNL KingpinNo home games
Manila StarsPaco Arena1,000
San Andres Sports Complex3,000
Marikina ShoemastersNo home games
Nueva Ecija Rice VanguardsNueva Ecija Coliseum3,000
Pampanga Giant LanternsBren Z. Guiao Convention Center3,000
Pasig City MCW SportsYnares Sports Arena3,000
Quezon City MGNo home games
San Juan KnightsFiloil EcoOil Centre6,000
Valenzuela XUR Homes Realty Inc.Bahayang Pag-asa Sports ComplexN/A
South Division
Bacolod Bingo PlusLa Salle Coliseum8,000
Bacoor City StrikersStrike Gymansium1,500
Batangas City Embassy ChillBatangas City Sports Coliseum4,000
GenSan WarriorsLagao Gymnasium6,000
Imus City BanderaNo home games
Laguna HeroesAlonte Sports Arena6,500
Laguna Sports Complex2,500
Mindoro TamarawsNo home games
Muntinlupa CagersMuntinlupa Sports Center3,000
Rizal Golden CoolersYnares Center7,400
Sarangani MarlinsSarangani Capitol GymnasiumN/A
Zamboanga Family's Brand SardinesMayor Vitaliano D. Agan Coliseum12,000
Neutral
Marikina Sports Center[N]7,000
San Jose del Monte Sports ComplexN/A
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Notes
  • N Despite the presence of the Marikina Shoemasters, the arena was not used by the team during the season.

Name changes

Coaching changes

More information Off-season / Mid-season, Team ...
Off-season / Mid-season
Team Outgoing coach Incoming coach
1Bataan Risers Jonas Villanueva
JR Villanueva
JR Villanueva
Ricky Dandan
Bacolod Bingo Plus Vic Ycasiano Alexander Angeles
Bacoor City Strikers Chris Gavina
Rey Mendez
Rey Mendez
Willie Generalao
Batangas City Embassy Chill Woody Co Pocholo Villanueva
Caloocan Excellence John Kallos
Rene Baena
Rene Baena
Ronnie Dojillo
GenSan Warriors Ronnie Dojillo Marlon Martin
Imus Bandera Raymund Valenzona
Manuel Torralba, Jr.
Manuel Torralba, Jr.
Renniel Cabrera
Laguna Heroes Dennis Miranda Nath Gregorio
Makati × MNL Kingpin Beaujing Acot Vis Valencia
Manila Stars Tino Pinat Maximino Dayandante, Jr.
Mindoro Tams Justin Tan
Drake Santos
Drake Santos
Jonathan Reyes
Muntinlupa Cagers Bonnie Garcia
Jules Hidalgo
Jules Hidalgo
Vincent Salvador
Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards Charles Tiu Jerson Cabiltes
Pampanga Giant Lanterns Bong Ramos
Jordan Viray
Jordan Viray
Dennis Pineda
Pasig City MCW Sports Bong Dela Cruz Ogie Gumatay
Quezon City MG Christian Coronel Alvin Grey
Rizal Golden Coolers Jayvee Gayoso Jonathan Banal
Sarangani Marlins Manuel Torralba John Kallos
Valenzuela XUR Homes Realty Inc. Ronjay Enrile
Aldrin Morante
Aldrin Morante
Lester Alvarez
Zamboanga Family's Brand Sardines Britt Reroma Vic Ycasiano
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Roster regulation changes

Since the MPBL became a professional league, multiple changes were made to the roster regulations: [8]

  • Teams are now allowed to sign up to five collegiate players into the roster. The only requirement is for the player to be given a Special Guest License from the Games and Amusement Board (GAB).
  • The ex-professional player limit was replaced by an ex-PBA player limit. Still, teams are only allowed to sign seven players with previous experience in the Philippine Basketball Association.
  • The classification for Filipino-foreigners was changed, with the only requirement is for the player to be a holder of a Philippine passport. The 6'4" height limit was also removed.
  • The maximum number of players per roster was increased from 20 to 24 to accommodate the bigger pool of players.

Pre-season

The 2022 MPBL season was preceded by the 2021 MPBL Invitational which ran from December 11 to 23, 2021, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.[9] The tournament was won by the Basilan Jumbo Plastic. Philip Manalang was awarded the Finals MVP after making a game-winning buzzer beater to lift Basilan over the Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards, 83–80.

Regular season

Opening ceremony

The opening ceremony was held on April 25, 2022 at the Batangas City Coliseum in Batangas City, Batangas, the home arena of the Batangas City Embassy Chill.[10]

Format

The 22 teams played in a single round-robin format, playing one game against all other teams in the league for a total of 21 games. In each gameday, a series of games is played in a designated home arena, with the home team usually playing in the final game.

The top eight teams in each division advanced to a four-round, single-elimination playoffs, playing in best-of-three series in the first three rounds, and a best-of-five series in the national finals, with homecourt advantage alternating between the higher seeds of each series in the first two rounds.

The league also changed the ranking system this season, using wins instead of win percentage.

Standings

North Division

More information Pos, Pld ...
Pos Team Pld W L GB Qualification
1 Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards 21 21 0 Playoffs
2 Pasig City MCW Sports 21 14[lower-alpha 1] 7 7
3 San Juan Knights 21 14[lower-alpha 1] 7 7
4 Pampanga Giant Lanterns 21 14[lower-alpha 1] 7 7
5 Bataan Risers 21 13 8 8
6 Valenzuela XUR Homes Realty Inc. 21 10 11 11
7 Quezon City MG 21 9 12 12
8 Marikina Shoemasters 21 8 13 13
9 Caloocan Excellence 21 6[lower-alpha 2] 15 15
10 Manila Stars 21 6[lower-alpha 2] 15 15
11 Makati × MNL Kingpin 21 2 19 19
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Source: Standings
Rules for classification: 1) Wins; 2a) If two teams are tied, head-to-head match-up; 2b) If three or more teams are tied, head-to-head point quotient; 3) overall point quotient; 4) coin toss.
Notes:
  1. Pasig (1.193), San Juan (0.993), and Pampanga (0.850) are ranked based on head-to-head point quotient.
  2. Caloocan wins tiebreaker over Manila by head-to-head victory.

South Division

More information Pos, Pld ...
Pos Team Pld W L GB Qualification
1 Zamboanga Family's Brand Sardines 21 18 3 Playoffs
2 Batangas City Embassy Chill 21 17 4 1
3 Sarangani Marlins 21 16 5 2
4 GenSan Warriors 21 15 6 3
5 Bacolod Bingo Plus 21 14 7 4
6 Rizal Golden Coolers 21 10 11 8
7 Bacoor City Strikers 21 9 12 9
8 Muntinlupa Cagers 21 6 15 12
9 Imus City Bandera 21 5 16 13
10 Laguna Heroes 21 3 18 15
11 Mindoro Tams 21 1 20 17
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Source: Standings
Rules for classification: 1) Wins; 2a) If two teams are tied, head-to-head match-up; 2b) If three or more teams are tied, head-to-head point quotient; 3) overall point quotient; 4) coin toss.

Results

More information Teams, BCD ...
Teams BCD BCR BAN BTG CAL GS IMS LAG MKT MNL MAR MDR MUN NE PAM PSG QC RZL SJ SAR VAL ZAM
Bacolod 69–58 56–60 66–72 95–84 73–76 67–57 77–57 77–69 76–59 76–66 94–68 93–83 74–81*** 70–72 71–70 79–64 57–67 67–66 89–74 68–67 71–74
Bacoor 76–74 86–87 85–82 74–75 73–68 69–57 84–56 102–65 82–89 65–70 64–65 76–87 58–70 78–82 96–77 77–81 69–66 83–92 93–83 67–71
Bataan 70–68 66–65 81–76 74–67 79–70 81–77 109–102 84–68 112–76 91–83 65–79 83–86 69–71 89–91 69–65 74–90 80–92 99–96** 59–78
Batangas City 82–86 68–62 76–56 96–55 93–59 67–61 99–91 86–62 85–81 72–84 57–62 67–60 85–60 68–65 70–69 75–66 77–62 87–83*
Caloocan 62–71 85–88 82–76 74–82 80–69 88–92 71–63 79–69 86–103 78–95 82–96 78–81 95–87 68–73 76–81 78–87 70–91
General Santos 73–65 84–49 89–65 96–83 78–77 105–64 96–87 83–95 77–73 61–51 114–83 80–67 79–69 77–79* 69–80 73–75
Imus City 68–70 72–44 97–91 76–89 104–61 84–94 81–107 62–83 55–63 56–60 91–74 57–86 78–79 84–85 67–82
Laguna 80–49 74–85 83–90 82–74 67–82 79–109 68–75 58–74 92–113 76–96 68–78 59–69 73–92 46–81
Makati 74–80 70–81 82–78 79–90 43–84 54–91 76–78 72–103 73–95 85–95 59–70 52–56 61–99
Manila 77–78 84–67 103–74 58–85 70–72 70–75 86–76 61–66 73–94 55–74 70–79 87–79
Marikina 101–60 64–69 77–99 77–95 79–81 79–92 86–85 67–81 69–73 48–66 76–91
Mindoro 55–91 68–98 54–88 75–87 83–88 82–100 64–146 74–125 67–79 70–110
Muntinlupa 85–102 76–110 89–92 77–79 67–71 56–84 55–67 80–85 77–80
Nueva Ecija 80–74 77–66 93–77 83–64 81–75 87–79 68–61 81–76
Pampanga 71–93 107–103* 65–76 71–74 65–68 84–62 72–83
Pasig City 73–76 89–87 68–64 76–93 71–58 71–98
Quezon City 70–71 69–78 67–90 74–90 71–96
Rizal 79–89 83–94 82–79 73–74
San Juan 86–74 90–74 89–95*
Sarangani 77–73 86–89*
Valenzuela 82–86*
Zamboanga
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Source: Standings
Legend: Blue = left column team win; Red = top row team win.
Matches with lighter background shading were decided after overtime.

Not all games are in home–away format. Each team plays every team once. Number of asterisks after each score denotes number of overtimes played.

Playoffs

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.

Bracket

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

In the First Round, the first- and second-seeded teams host games 1 and 3 of its respective division, while the third- and fourth-seeded teams host game 2.

North Division First Round

Due to Nueva Ecija, Pasig City, and San Juan all advancing after game 2, Pampanga instead hosted game 3.

More information Team 1, Series ...
Team 1 Series Team 2 Game 1 Game 2 Game 3
(1) Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards 2–0 (8) Marikina Shoemasters 103–71 82–71
(2) Pasig City MCW Sports 2–0 (7) Quezon City MG 84–80 (OT) 101–83
(3) San Juan Knights 2–0 (6) Valenzuela XUR Homes Realty Inc. 90–82 90–79
(4) Pampanga Giant Lanterns 2–1 (5) Bataan Risers 82–75 83–85 (OT) 66–62
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South Division First Round

More information Team 1, Series ...
Team 1 Series Team 2 Game 1 Game 2 Game 3
(1) Zamboanga Family's Brand Sardines 2–0 (8) Muntinlupa Cagers 79–50 77–71
(2) Batangas City Embassy Chill 2–1 (7) Bacoor City Strikers 69–55 75–78 70–57
(3) Sarangani Marlins 0–2 (6) Rizal EMKAI Xentromall 45–73 79–82 (OT)
(4) GenSan Warriors 1–2 (5) Bacolod Bingo Plus 77–81 77–72 73–77
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Division semifinals

In the division semifinals, the highest seeded team hosts games 1 and 3, while the second-highest seeded team hosts game 2.

North Division semifinals

More information Team 1, Series ...
Team 1 Series Team 2 Game 1 Game 2 Game 3
(1) Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards 2–0 (4) Pampanga Giant Lanterns 104–89 89–84
(2) Pasig City MCW Sports 0–2 (3) San Juan Knights 68–88 70–81
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South Division semifinals

More information Team 1, Series ...
Team 1 Series Team 2 Game 1 Game 2 Game 3
(1) Zamboanga Family's Brand Sardines 2–1 (5) Bacolod Bingo Plus 71–65 58–61 77–65
(2) Batangas City Embassy Chill 2–0 (6) Rizal EMKAI Xentromall 70–60 72–66
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Division finals

In the division finals, the higher-seeded team hosts games 1 and 3 in its respective division, while the lower-seeded team hosts game 2.

North Division finals

More information Team 1, Series ...
Team 1 Series Team 2 Game 1 Game 2 Game 3
(1) Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards 2–1 (3) San Juan Knights 72–79 89–83 (OT) 84–68
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South Division finals

More information Team 1, Series ...
Team 1 Series Team 2 Game 1 Game 2 Game 3
(1) Zamboanga Family's Brand Sardines 2–1 (2) Batangas City Embassy Chill 71–80 63–53 67–66
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MPBL finals

In the MPBL finals, the higher-seeded team hosts games 1, 2, and 5, while the lower-seeded team hosts games 3 and 4.

More information Team 1, Series ...
Team 1 Series Team 2 Game 1 Game 2 Game 3Game 4Game 5
(N1) Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards 3–1 (S1) Zamboanga Family's Brand Sardines 81–75 75–74 65–7569–56
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All-Star Game

Quick Facts North All-Stars, South All-Stars ...
2022 MPBL All-Star Game
North All-Stars South All-Stars
92 109
Head coach:
Jerson Cabiltes
(Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards)
Head coach:
Cholo Villanueva
(Batangas City Embassy Chill)
1234 Total
North All-Stars 28262117 92
South All-Stars 21223333 109
DateOctober 2, 2022
VenueBatangas City Coliseum, Batangas City, Batangas
MVPJaycee Marcelino
 2020
2023 
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The 2022 MPBL All-Star Game was an exhibition game played on October 2, 2022. It was the third edition of the MPBL All-Star Game, which took place at the Batangas City Coliseum in Batangas City, Batangas, the home venue of the Batangas City Embassy Chill, making it the first All-Star Game to be held in a team's designated home venue.

For the third consecutive season, South Division won against the North Division with a score of 109–92. Jaycee Marcelino was declared the All-Star Game MVP.[11]

Lineups

Due to the league's contraction to 22 teams, the league only placed thirteen players on each division's roster instead of fifteen. 15-man rosters would be used again in the following edition.

Cedric Ablaza of the Batangas City Embassy Chill and Mark Yee of Bacolod Bingo Plus earned their third all-star selections while Michael Mabulac of the Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards, Cris Masaglang of the GenSan Warriors, and Leo Najorda of the Imus City Bandera made their second all-star appearances.

More information Pos, Player ...
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Game

October 2
North All-Stars 92109 South All-Stars
Scoring by quarter: 28–21, 26–22, 21–33, 17–33
Batangas City Coliseum, Batangas City

Pre-game events

Before the game itself, a series of pre-game events was held. Returning events include the Three-Point Shootout and Slam Dunk Contest. The Executives' Game also returns after the event's absence last season.

  • Executives' Game Champion: N/A (tied game)
  • Three-point Shootout Champion: Domark Matillano (Muntinlupa Cagers)
  • Slam Dunk Contest Champion: Garex Puerto (Imus City Bandera)

Records and Milestones

Records

Milestones

  • July 26, 2022:
    • Michael Juico becomes the 5th player to reach 1,000 MPBL career points.
    • Jay Collado becomes the 6th player to reach 1,000 MPBL career points.
  • August 2, 2022 - Mark Yee becomes the 1st ever player to reach 1,000 MPBL career rebounds.
    • Mark Yee also becomes the 1st ever player to reach 1,000 MPBL career points and rebounds.
  • August 29, 2022 - Byron Villarias becomes the 7th player to reach 1,000 MPBL career points.
  • October 7, 2022 - Cedric Ablaza becomes the 8th player to reach 1,000 MPBL career points.
  • October 13, 2022 - Jeckster Apinan becomes the 9th player to reach 1,000 MPBL career points.
  • October 19, 2022 - Jason Melano becomes the 10th player to reach 1,000 MPBL career points.
  • October 28, 2022 - Levi Hernandez becomes the 11th player to reach 1,000 MPBL career points.
  • November 18, 2022 - Will McAloney becomes the 12th player to reach 1,000 MPBL career points.
  • December 2, 2022 - Michael Mabulac becomes the 13th player to reach 1,000 MPBL career points.

Statistics

Individual statistical leaders

More information Category, Player ...
CategoryPlayerTeamStatistic
Points per gameAntonio JosonMarikina Shoemasters17.7
Rebounds per gameCedric AblazaBatangas City Embassy Chill11.8
Assists per gameMarcy ArellanoQuezon City MG9.3
Steals per gameKyt JimenezSarangani Marlins2.8
Blocks per gameJason BallesterosPasig City2.0
Fouls per gameArvie BringasBataan Risers3.3
Minutes per gameAntonio JosonMarikina Shoemasters31.0
FG%Daniel BaylaMindoro Tams52.0%
FT%Antonio JosonMarikina Shoemasters84.0%
3FG%Jolo MendozaRizal Golden Coolers Xentromall40.2%
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Team statistical leaders

More information Category, Team ...
CategoryTeamStatistic
Points per gameNueva Ecija Rice Vanguards86.8
Rebounds per gameBatangas City Embassy Chill50.5
Assists per gameNueva Ecija Rice Vanguards26.5
Steals per gameZamboanga Family's Brand Sardines10.2
Blocks per gameSarangani Marlins4.4
Turnovers per gamePampanga Giant Lanterns19.0
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Awards

Individual season awards

Most of the league's individual awards were given out before game 2 of the 2022 national finals at the Nueva Ecija Coliseum in Palayan, Nueva Ecija.[14] The Most Valuable Player was later given out in game 3 at the Mayor Vitaliano D. Agan Coliseum in Zamboanga City while the Finals Most Valuable Player and Coach of the Year were awarded at the conclusion of the series.[15][16]

This season introduced two new awards, those being the Homegrown Player of the Year and the Rookie of the Year. In addition, the league only honored one All-MPBL Team this season.

Players of the Week

More information Week, Player ...
WeekPlayerRef.
May 2−6, 2022Jaymar Gimpayan (Valenzuela XUR Homes Realty Inc.)
May 21–27, 2022Jayson Apolonio (Pampanga Giant Lanterns)
May 28 – June 3, 2022Jhan Nermal (Bacolod Bingo Plus)
June 4–10, 2022Jaycee Marcelino (Zamboanga Family's Brand Sardines) (1/2)
June 11–17, 2022Cedrick Ablaza (Batangas City Embassy Chill) (1/2)
June 18–24, 2022Archie Concepcion (Pampanga Giant Lanterns)
June 25 – July 1, 2022Mitchelle Maynes (Pampanga Giant Lanterns)
July 2–9, 2022Arvie Bringas (Bataan Risers)
July 25–30, 2022Judel Fuentes (San Juan Knights) (1/2)
August 1–7, 2022Mark Montuano (Bacoor City Strikers)
August 8–14, 2022Paul Sanga (Sarangani Marlins)
August 15–20, 2022Cedrick Ablaza (Batangas City Embassy Chill) (2/2)
August 22–27, 2022Mark Cruz (GenSan Warriors)
August 29 – September 3, 2022Judel Fuentes (San Juan Knights) (2/2)
September 5–11, 2022Mark Yee (Bacolod Bingo Plus)
September 12–17, 2022Orlan Wamar (San Juan Knights)
September 19–25, 2022Jaycee Marcelino (Zamboanga Family's Brand Sardines) (2/2)
October 3–8, 2022Dexter Maiquez (San Juan Knights)
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Media

Due to the expiration of ABS-CBN's franchise, the league had to award the television broadcast rights to another network.

Thus, this season marked the first year of the league's ongoing broadcast rights with Cignal TV, as the games were split between the free-to-air One PH and cable channel One Sports+. Cignal Play handled local streaming, while ABS-CBN's iWantTFC still handled international streaming.

The league continued to stream all of its games on Facebook, but this season saw the league expand to YouTube and Kumu for social media streaming.

References

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