The past five seasons of the MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) produced five different champions.
Will yet another new champion emerge in the coming Sixth Season of the country’s top regional league?
Local cage experts, however, believe the Pampanga Giant Lanterns, the reigning national titlists, have the brightest chance of becoming the MPBL’s first back-to-back champions.
The Giant Lanterns boast Justine Baltazar, last year’s runaway MVP, the league’s tallest frontline, veteran acquisitions Jeff Viernes and Jhaymo Eguilos, and capable scorers like Encho Serrano, Archie Concepcion, MJ Garcia and Kurt Reyson.
Coached by Pampanga Gov. Dennis “Delta” Pineda, the Giant Lanterns showed their mettle when they topped the MPBL Preseason Invitational held in General Santos City last month.
Virtually all of the MPBL coaches, including multi-titled former national mentor Louie Alas of Zamboanga Masters Sardines, have the Giant Lanterns at the top of the 30-team projected rankings last month.
Also rated highly are the Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards, the 2022 national champions who will now be handled by Coach Don Dulay in place of Jerson Cabiltes for the elimination round starting on April 6 at the Calasiao Sports Complex in Pangasinan.
Cabiltes will now be handling the Pangasinan Heatwaves, who are eager to shine in their first MPBL stint.
Other teams considered as strong bets for the quarterfinal round are the South Cotabato Warriors of MPBL Founder Manny Pacquiao, the San Juan Knights, winner of the MPBL Datu Cup, Binan (Laguna) of Coach Boyet Fernandez, and Batangas. Quezon Province will challenge with Will Gozum in tow and so will Manila, Iloilo, Caloocan, newcomer Abra, to be handled by Jonathan Banal, and Davao Occidental, the MPBL Lakan Season champion which is returning after a 2-year hiatus.
Still, the Giant Lanterns are considered the alpha of the pack.
