The 2025 MPBL season was the seventh season of the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) and its fourth under professional status. The regular season began on March 8, 2025 with the opening ceremony at the Capital Arena in Ilagan, Isabela. The season ended on December 16, 2025 with the 2025 MPBL finals between Abra Solid North Weavers and Quezon Huskers.
This season features 30 teams. The league expanded to the Cagayan Valley region for the first time with the addition of the Ilagan Isabela Cowboys. Three teams (Basilan Viva Portmasters, Cebu Classic, and Pasig City) made their comebacks. This season will also see the introduction of the league's play-in tournament to be held in between the regular season and playoffs.
The Pampanga Giant Lanterns are two-time defending champions and reigning North Division champions, while the Quezon Huskers are the reigning South Division champions.
This season also marked the first of what would have been a new two-year title sponsorship deal with gambling company 1xBet. However, the sponsorship was dropped midway through the season.
Format changes Postseason changes On February 2, 2025, the league announced a couple of changes to its playoff format, the biggest being the addition of a play-in tournament similar to the NBA's play-in round, which will be contested by teams ranked seventh through tenth in their respective divisions. The seventh and eighth-ranked teams will play for the seventh seed in the playoffs. The losing team will face the winner of the game between the ninth and tenth-ranked teams for the eighth seed and the final playoff spot. Due to this change, only the top six teams will directly advance to the playoffs.
In addition, the division finals is made a best-of-five series from the best-of-three series in previous seasons. These changes mark the first since the league expanded the playoffs to a 16-team pool due to the league's national expansion in 2019.
Preseason Invitational cancellation On January 22, the league announced that it will not host a Preseason Invitational tournament this season, so that the competing teams can focus on building their rosters. This will mark the first time in the professional era that the league will not host such a tournament.
Teams Teams were given until February 1 to submit their intent to compete, although some were given extensions. This season, 30 teams will compete, one more than the 29 teams of the previous two seasons. This makes it the second-biggest team pool in league history, only behind the 2019–20 season, which had 31 teams compete.
Expansions, returnees, and contractions On January 16, commissioner Kenneth Duremdes announced that an expansion team based in Ilagan, Isabela will join the regional league this season. The team, later named the Ilagan Isabela Cowboys, was formally established on February 1, marking the first time the league has a team based in the Cagayan Valley region and will continue the expansion into Northern Luzon, following additions of the Pangasinan Heatwaves and the Abra Weavers in the last season.
Three teams also made their return. After being absent in the last three seasons, the Basilan's MPBL team returned as the Basilan Viva Portmasters (initially the Basilan Starhorse), having competed in the 2019–20 season as the Basilan Steel, and as a guest team in the 2021 Preseason Invitational as the Basilan Jumbo Plastic. Similarly, Cebu's MPBL team will also return for the first time since 2020, now known as the Cebu Classic. The Pasig City MPBL team is the last team to make its return, after not competing in the previous season.
On the other hand, three teams made their departures. The Bicolandia Oragons and Iloilo United Royals left the league after competing in three of the last four seasons while the Negros Muscovados depart after two seasons. This means that Bicol Region and Western Visayas won't have any representatives for their respective regions.
Realignment The Ilagan Isabela Cowboys were placed in the North Division alongside Pasig City while the Basilan Viva Portmasters and Cebu Classic were placed in the South Division. To balance both divisions, the Rizal Golden Coolers were realigned back to the South, its fourth realignment in history and first since 2023.
Team name changes
Previous team name New team name Abra Weavers Abra Solid North Weavers Bacolod City of Smiles Bacolod Tubo Slashers Basilan Steel (2019–20) Basilan Starhorse Basilan Viva Portmasters Cebu Casino Ethyl Alcohol (2019–20) Cebu Classic Cebu Greats Imus Agimat Imus Braderhood Manila SV Batang Sampaloc Manila Batang Quiapo Marikina Shoemasters Marikina Verdiamonds Jewellers Marikina Shoemasters (reverted) Pasig City MCW Sports (2023) Pasig City Quezon City Toda Aksyon Quezon City Galeries Taipan Sarangani Marlins Sarangani Gripper Motorcycle Tire South Cotabato Warriors GenSan Warriors Valenzuela Classic Val City Magic Zamboanga Master Sardines Zamboanga Sikat
Transactions Player transactions Rookie signings
The Abra Solid North Weavers signed CJ Austria and Joshua David (De La Salle), and Jack Cruz-Dumont (UE).
Free agent signings The Abra Solid North Weavers signed two-time all-star and former All-MPBL Team selection Leo Najorda. He last played for the Koponang Lakan ng Bulacan of the Pilipinas Super League (PSL) in 2023. The Pangasinan Heatwaves signed 2018 PBA Mr. Quality Minutes Vic Manuel. He last played for the Terrafirma Dyip of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) in 2025. The Sarangani Marlins signed two-time all-star and 2022 Rookie of the Year Kyt Jimenez. He last played for the San Miguel Beermen of the PBA in 2024. Notably, Jimenez also recorded the elusive quadruple-double while playing for Sarangani in 2022.
Transfers The Abra Solid North Weavers signed all-star Encho Serrano from the Pampanga Giant Lanterns. The Basilan Starhorse signed two-time All-Star Game MVP Jeff Viernes (from Pampanga) alongside fellow all-stars Rabeh Al-Hussaini (from Manila) and Emman Calo (from Nueva Ecija). Basilan also signed PBA great Arwind Santos from the Pampanga Giant Lanterns. The Cebu Classic signed two-time all-star Paulo Hubalde from the Valenzuela Classic. The Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards signed the Marcelino twins, Jaycee and Jayvee, from the Zamboanga Master Sardines. The former won Most Valuable Player in 2022 and was selected to three All-MPBL First Teams while with Zamboanga.
Departures Two-time season MVP and two-time finals MVP Justine Baltazar departed the league after two seasons, both with the Pampanga Giant Lanterns, to sign with the Converge FiberXers of the PBA.
Coaching changes + Off-season changes Team Departing coach Incoming coach Bacolod Tubo Slashers RJ Argamino Paolo Javelona Basilan Starhorse Mac Tan Bulacan Kuyas Jonathan Reyes Elgin Espina Caloocan Batang Kankaloo Alexander Angeles Gabby Espinas Cebu Greats Voltaire Ora Davao Occidental Tigers Manu Iñigo Arvin Bonleon Ilagan Isabela Cowboys Louie Gonzalez Imus Braderhood Eric Sy Britt Reroma Manila Batang Quiapo Ariel Vanguardia Max Dayandante Marikina Shoemasters Rysal Castro Eric Sy Mindoro Tamaraws JR Cawaling Rodney Santos Muntinlupa Cagers Mixson Ramos Giovanni Ludovice Pasig City Aldrin Morante Quezon City Galeries Taipan Egay Macaraya Jeff Perlas San Juan Knights Randy Alcantara Alexander Angeles Val City Magic Eric Martinez Raymond Valenzona Zamboanga Sikat Louie Alas Bong Ramos
+ Mid-season changes Team Departing coach Incoming coach Basilan Starhorse Mac Tan Rich Alvarez Bulacan Kuyas Elgin Espina Terence Reyes Caloocan Batang Kankaloo Gabby Espinas Myk Saguiguit Cebu Greats Voltaire Ora Junthy Valenzuela Davao Occidental Tigers Arvin Bonleon Clive Castillo Clive Castillo Arvin Bonleon Marikina Shoemasters Eric Sy Angelo Nebres Mindoro Tamaraws Rodney Santos Bengie Teodoro Parañaque Patriots Myk Saguiguit Stephen Mopera Stephen Mopera Melquiades Villanueva Sarangani Gripper Motorcycle Tire John Kallos Ronnie Dojillo
Arenas
Arena changes The Capital Arena in Ilagan, Isabela became the primary home venue of the expansion Ilagan Isabela Cowboys. The Ynares Center in Rodriguez, Rizal became the new permanent home venue of the Rizal Golden Coolers. The team played at the Ynares Center for the past five seasons in Antipolo, since the 2018–19 season. The Rizal Memorial Coliseum in Malate, Manila became a new alternate venue for the Manila Batang Quiapo. The Robert B. Estrella Sr. Memorial Stadium in Rosales, Pangasinan became a new alternate venue for the Pangasinan Heatwaves. The Marikina Sports Center returned as the primary home venue of the Marikina Shoemasters. It was last used in the 2023 season. The Filoil EcoOil Center in San Juan, home of the San Juan Knights, was renamed to the Playtime Filoil Centre in May 2025. The Quezon City District 2 Gymnasium in Quezon City became a new alternate venue for the Quezon City Galeries Taipan. The Batangas Province Events Center in Batangas City, Batangas became a new alternate venue for the Batangas City Tanduay Rum Masters.
Regular arenas New venues for this season are indicated with bold text.
Abra Solid North Weavers Bataan Risers Batangas City Tanduay Rum Masters University of Abra Bataan People's Center Orion Sports Complex Batangas City Coliseum Batangas Province Events Center Capacity: 2,000 Capacity: 4,000 Capacity: 2,000 Capacity: 4,000 Capacity: 6,000
Batangas City Tanduay Rum Masters Biñan Tatak Gel Caloocan Batang Kankaloo Ilagan Isabela Cowboys Manila Batang Quiapo FPJ Arena Alonte Sports Arena Caloocan Sports Complex Capital Arena Paco Arena Capacity: 3,000 Capacity: 6,500 Capacity: 3,000 Capacity: 10,000 Capacity: 1,000
Manila Batang Quiapo Marikina Shoemasters Mindoro Tamaraws Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards Rizal Memorial Coliseum San Andres Sports Complex Marikina Sports Center Pola Gymnasium Nueva Ecija Coliseum Capacity: 6,100 Capacity: 3,000 Capacity: 7,000 Capacity: N/A Capacity: 3,000
Pampanga Giant Lanterns Pangasinan Heatwaves Parañaque Patriots Pasay Voyagers Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center Calasiao Sports Complex Robert B. Estrella Sr. Memorial Stadium Olivarez College Cuneta Astrodome Capacity: 3,000 Capacity: 3,000 Capacity: 3,000 Capacity: 3,500 Capacity: 12,000
Pasig City MPBL team Quezon Huskers Quezon City Galeries Taipan Rizal Golden Coolers Ynares Sports Arena Lucena Convention Center Quezon Convention Center Quezon City District 2 Gymnasium Ynares Center Montalban Capacity: 3,000 Capacity: 4,000 Capacity: 7,000 Capacity: 2,000 Capacity: 8,000
San Juan Knights Val City Magic Zamboanga Sikat Playtime Filoil Centre WES Arena Mayor Vitaliano D. Agan Coliseum Capacity: 6,000 Capacity: 2,000 Capacity: 10,000
Other arenas Neutral 2025 MPBL playoffs Villar Coliseum Malolos Sports & Convention Center Capacity: 4,000 Capacity: 5,000
Regular season Opening ceremony The regular season began on March 8, 2025. As has been the case since 2023, the season opener and opening ceremony was hosted by an expansion team from the current season, this time being the Ilagan Isabela Cowboys at the Capital Arena in Ilagan, Isabela. The opening doubleheader will feature the Biñan Tatak Gel and the Abra Weavers in the first game, followed by the Sarangani Marlins and the home team Cowboys in the second game.
Format Similar to previous seasons, all participating teams will play in a single round-robin tournament for the regular season, playing one game against every other team. The league's 30 teams will each play 29 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.
Under the new postseason format, the top six teams in each division will advance directly to the 2025 MPBL playoffs, while teams ranked seventh through tenth will compete in a play-in tournament for the final two spots.
Standings
North Division
South Division
Results table