MPBL 2025: What to Expect This Season?
Basketball fans in the Philippines are getting ready for the 7th season of the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL), starting on March 8, 2025. This season promises to be exciting, with new teams, strong competition, and big names returning to the court.
What’s new this year? Which teams are the favorites? Let’s take a look.
New Teams: Ilagan City Joins the League
One of the biggest changes this season is the league expansion. A new team, Ilagan City, will make its MPBL debut.
Can the newcomers compete with top teams like Pampanga Giant Lanterns, Quezon Huskers, and Zamboanga Master Sardines? History shows that new teams can surprise everyone. Just last year, the Quezon Huskers reached the finals in their first season.
Rumors suggest that Ilagan City is working hard to build a strong roster, and some experienced players may join them soon.
MPBL and 1xBet: A New Partnership
The 2025 season will also introduce a major strategic partnership between MPBL and 1xBet, a leading global betting company. This deal, running until the end of 2026, will bring exclusive offers, exciting game experiences, and fun activities for fans. The 1xBet logo will be visible on team jerseys, courts, and game broadcasts, making the brand a big part of Philippine basketball.
Looking Back at the 2024 Season: Key Highlights
Before we talk about the future, let’s remember the biggest moments from last season:
Champions:
- Pampanga Giant Lanterns won back-to-back titles, defeating the Quezon Huskers in the finals.
Top Players:
- Finals MVP: Justine Baltazar (Pampanga Giant Lanterns)
- Top Scorer: Jaycee Marcelino (Zamboanga Master Sardines) – 20.0 points per game
- Top Rebounder: Justine Baltazar (Pampanga Giant Lanterns) – 14.8 rebounds per game
- Top Playmaker: Lorenzo Navarro (Manila Batang Sampaloc) – 7.7 assists per game
Best Team Stats:
- Highest scoring team: Pampanga Giant Lanterns – 91.1 PPG
- Most rebounds per game: Pampanga Giant Lanterns – 55.5 RPG
- Most assists per game: Pampanga Giant Lanterns – 26.7 APG
Predictions for the 2025 Season: Who Will Win?
Pampanga Giant Lanterns Chase a Third Title
After winning two championships in a row, Pampanga Giant Lanterns are the favorites once again. Their star player, Justine Baltazar, is in top form, and the team looks strong.
Quezon Huskers Want Revenge
The Quezon Huskers, last year’s runners-up, will be hungry for a comeback. If they make smart roster moves, they could fight for the title.
Unexpected Surprises
Every season, a team rises unexpectedly. In 2024, Quezon Huskers shocked everyone. Could Ilagan City be the next surprise contender?
New Rising Stars
The Philippines is full of young basketball talent. This season, we might see new stars emerge, who could soon become MPBL’s biggest names.
What to Expect as a Fan?
MPBL 2025 is set to be one of the most exciting seasons yet. With stronger teams, new talent, and a major partnership with 1xBet, the league is growing bigger every year.
Fans can look forward to thrilling games, unexpected results, and a fierce championship battle. On March 8, 2025, all the action begins!
