2023 MPBL All-Star Game

2023 MPBL All-Star Game
North All-Stars South All-Stars
99 91
Head coach:
Dennis Pineda
(Pampanga Giant Lanterns)
Head coach:
Alex Angeles
(Bacoor City Strikers)
1234 Total
North All-Stars 31241529 99
South All-Stars 21192823 91
DateSeptember 16, 2023
VenueBataan People's Center, Balanga, Bataan
MVPJustine Baltazar
NetworkCignal TV (One PH, MPTV)
← 2022
2024 →

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 MPBL All-Star Game, which took place at the Bataan People's Center in Balanga, Bataan, the home arena of the Bataan Risers.

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

[edit]

Coaches

[edit]

The 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

[edit]

The 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
  1. ^ Michael Cañete was initially announced as a starter but was replaced by Jhan Nermal due to injury.
  2. ^ JL Delos Santos was initially announced as a reserve but was replaced by John Amores due to collegiate commitments.
  3. ^ CJ Catapusan was initially announced as a reserve but was replaced by Josh Flores due to personal reasons.

Game

[edit]
September 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

[edit]

Executives' Game

[edit]

MPBL founder Manny Pacquiao won his second Executives' Game MVP award as the South Executives defeated the North Executives, 114–63.[5]

September 16
North Executives 63–114 South Executives
Bataan People's Center, Balanga, Bataan

Three-Point Shooutout

[edit]
Contestants
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]
Contestants
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]
  1. ^ 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.
  2. ^ "SOUTH ALL STARS RESERVES REVEALED". Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League. September 9, 2023. Retrieved December 31, 2023 – via Facebook.
  3. ^ "MAKE WAY FOR THE NORTH ALL STARS RESERVES". Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League. September 11, 2023. Retrieved December 31, 2023 – via Facebook.
  4. ^ "PAMPANGA DYNAMIC DUO TO LEAD NORTH ALL STARS". Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League. September 12, 2023. Retrieved December 31, 2023 – via Facebook.
  5. ^ "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.