2021 MPBL Invitational

After culminating its 2019–20 season in March 2021, the league looked to start the next season on June 12, 2021. However, the continuing restrictions posed by the COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines caused the league to postpone it to the third quarter of 2021.{{Cite web |last=Times |first=Tiebreaker |date=2021-05-28 |title=MPBL mulls closed-circuit setup for late August opening |url=https://tiebreakertimes.com.ph/tbt/mpbl-mulls-closed-circuit-setup-for-late-august-opening/209154 |access-date=2023-11-11 |website=Tiebreaker Times |language=en-US}} After postponing again to 2022, Duremdes announced the Invitational tournament to help "reignite" the league.{{Cite web |last=Inquirer |first=Philippine Daily |date=2021-11-17 |title=MPBL reboots with packed Invitational |url=https://sports.inquirer.net/441961/mpbl-reboots-with-packed-invitational |access-date=2023-06-07 |website=INQUIRER.net |language=en}}

Although it wasn't the league's first preseason tournament, it was the league's first event as a professional league, being granted professional status by the Games and Amusements Board earlier in the year.{{cite news |date=10 December 2021 |title=MPBL officially turns professional |url=https://mb.com.ph/2021/12/10/mpbl-officially-turns-professional/ |work=Manila Bulletin |accessdate=10 December 2021}}

For the first time since the level of restriction for live musical events were relaxed, Filipino pop and R&B band South Border performed their reunion concert at the pregame ceremony of the Invitational finals, while rock band MOJOFLY performed during the halftime show.{{Cite web|date=2021-12-13 |title=Luke Mejares, Duncan Ramos, Jay Durias reunite as South Border for MPBL finals |url=http://news.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/12/23/21/south-border-members-reunite-in-mpbl-finals |access-date=2021-12-25|website=ABS-CBN News|language=en}}

Of the 31 teams that participated in the previous season, 21 took part in the Invitational. In addition, the Invitational also featured the first appearance of the Negros Muscovados, bringing the total to 22 teams.

; Notes

{{notelist|group=name}}

The draw for the group stage took place on November 26, 2021 at the Crowne Plaza in Pasig, hosted by Mark Zambrano and Christian Luanzon.{{cite news |last=Saldajeno |first=Ivan |date=27 November 2021 |title=PHP2-M awaits MPBL Invitational champ |url=https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1161088 |accessdate=10 December 2021 |agency=Philippine News Agency }} The 22 teams were drawn into four groups, two groups of six teams (Groups A and D) and two groups of five teams (Groups B and C).

Two teams were immediately allocated, the Basilan Jumbo Plastic was placed in Group B by virtue of winning the 2021 Pilipinas VisMin Super Cup 1st Conference. The San Juan Knights were placed in Group C as last season's finalists. The remaining 20 teams were drawn at random into the four groups.

The tournament is divided into two stages: the group stage and the playoffs. Each of the four groups play in a single round-robin format, wherein each team plays one game against all other teams within the same group. The top two teams in each group advance to a three-round, single-elimination playoffs consisting of all knockout games. For this tournament only, all roster regulations were lifted.

The top three teams were given prize money based on their standings: ₱2 million for the champion, ₱500,000 for the runner-up, and ₱250,000 for the third-place team.{{cite news |date=26 November 2021 |title=MPBL Invitational champion to get P2-million prize |url=https://www.rappler.com/sports/mpbl-invitational-champion-million-prize/ |work=Rappler |accessdate=11 December 2021 }}

{{#invoke:Sports table|main|style=WL

|ranking_style=wins |for_against_style=points |show_matches=true

|update = complete |source = [https://mpbl.web.geniussports.com/competitions/?WHurl=%2Fcompetition%2F31537%2Fschedule%3F Schedule – via Genius Sports]

|name_BCD=All-Star Bacolod Ballers

|name_BCR=Bacoor City Strikers

|name_CAL=Caloocan Excellence

|name_ILO=Iloilo United Royals

|name_NEG=Negros Muscovados

|name_PSG=Pasig Sta. Lucia Realtors

|team1=PSG

|team2=ILO

|team3=BCD

|team4=BCR

|team5=CAL

|team6=NEG

|win_BCD=3 |loss_BCD=2 |pf_BCD=349 |pa_BCD=374

|win_BCR=2 |loss_BCR=3 |pf_BCR=363 |pa_BCR=356

|win_CAL=1 |loss_CAL=4 |pf_CAL=324 |pa_CAL=403

|win_ILO=4 |loss_ILO=1 |pf_ILO=388 |pa_ILO=364

|win_NEG=0 |loss_NEG=5 |pf_NEG=382 |pa_NEG=403

|win_PSG=5 |loss_PSG=0 |pf_PSG=424 |pa_PSG=330

|match_BCD_BCR=73–71

|match_BCD_CAL=85–65

|match_BCD_ILO=62–85

|match_BCD_NEG=68–67

|match_BCD_PSG=61–86

|match_BCR_BCD=71–73

|match_BCR_CAL=72–50

|match_BCR_ILO=66–71

|match_BCR_NEG=87–86

|match_BCR_PSG=67–76

|match_CAL_BCD=65–85

|match_CAL_BCR=50–72

|match_CAL_ILO=69–80

|match_CAL_NEG=80–79

|match_CAL_PSG=60–87

|match_ILO_BCD=85–62

|match_ILO_BCR=71–66

|match_ILO_CAL=80–69

|match_ILO_NEG=83–77

|match_ILO_PSG=69–90

|match_NEG_BCD=67–68

|match_NEG_BCR=86–87

|match_NEG_CAL=79–80

|match_NEG_ILO=77–83

|match_NEG_PSG=73–85

|match_PSG_BCD=86–61

|match_PSG_BCR=76–67

|match_PSG_CAL=87–60

|match_PSG_ILO=90–69

|match_PSG_NEG=85–73

|show_limit =

|class_rules = 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.

|res_col_header=Q

|result1=PO |result2=PO

|col_PO=green1 |text_PO=Playoffs

|status_pos=before

|status_text_O=Eliminated from playoff contention

|status_text_X=Clinched playoffs

}}

{{#invoke:Sports table|main|style=WL

|ranking_style=wins |for_against_style=points |show_matches=true

|update = complete |source = [https://mpbl.web.geniussports.com/competitions/?WHurl=%2Fcompetition%2F31537%2Fschedule%3F Schedule – via Genius Sports]

|name_BAS=Basilan Jumbo Plastic

|name_BCL=Bicol Volcanoes

|name_LAG=Laguna Heroes

|name_MKT=Makati FSD Blazers

|name_MAR=Marikina Shoe City

|team1=BAS

|team2=BCL

|team3=MKT

|team4=MAR

|team5=LAG

|win_BAS=4 |loss_BAS=0 |pf_BAS=346 |pa_BAS=322

|win_BCL=3 |loss_BCL=1 |pf_BCL=317 |pa_BCL=274

|win_LAG=0 |loss_LAG=4 |pf_LAG=322 |pa_LAG=349

|win_MKT=2 |loss_MKT=2 |pf_MKT=337 |pa_MKT=341

|win_MAR=1 |loss_MAR=3 |pf_MAR=316 |pa_MAR=352

|match_BAS_BCL=70–65

|match_BAS_LAG=98–95

|match_BAS_MKT=80–79

|match_BAS_MAR=98–83

|match_BCL_BAS=65–70

|match_BCL_LAG=80–68

|match_BCL_MKT=86–71

|match_BCL_MAR=86–65

|match_LAG_BAS=95–98

|match_LAG_BCL=68–80

|match_LAG_MKT=86–92

|match_LAG_MAR=73–79

|match_MKT_BAS=79–80

|match_MKT_BCL=71–86

|match_MKT_LAG=92–86

|match_MKT_MAR=95–89

|match_MAR_BAS=83–98

|match_MAR_BCL=65–86

|match_MAR_LAG=79–73

|match_MAR_MKT=89–95

|show_limit =

|class_rules = 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.

|res_col_header=Q

|result1=PO |result2=PO

|col_PO=green1 |text_PO=Playoffs

|status_pos=before

|status_text_O=Eliminated from playoff contention

|status_text_X=Clinched playoffs

}}

{{#invoke:Sports table|main|style=WL

|ranking_style=wins |for_against_style=points |show_matches=true

|update = complete |source = [https://mpbl.web.geniussports.com/competitions/?WHurl=%2Fcompetition%2F31537%2Fschedule%3F Schedule – via Genius Sports]

|name_MUN=Muntinlupa Cagers

|name_NE =Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards

|name_SJ =San Juan Knights

|name_SAR=Sarangani Marlins

|name_VAL=Valenzuela MJAS Zenith

|team1=NE

|team2=SJ

|team3=VAL

|team4=SAR

|team5=MUN

|win_MUN=0 |loss_MUN=4 |pf_MUN=277 |pa_MUN=306

|win_NE =4 |loss_NE =0 |pf_NE =371 |pa_NE =326

|win_SJ =3 |loss_SJ =1 |pf_SJ =344 |pa_SJ =291

|win_SAR=1 |loss_SAR=3 |pf_SAR=312 |pa_SAR=333

|win_VAL=2 |loss_VAL=2 |pf_VAL=294 |pa_VAL=342

|match_MUN_NE =72–84

|match_MUN_SJ =67–71

|match_MUN_SAR=66–75

|match_MUN_VAL=72–76

|match_NE_MUN =84–72

|match_NE_SJ =88–85

|match_NE_SAR =99–92

|match_NE_VAL =100–77

|match_SJ_MUN =71–67

|match_SJ_NE =85–88

|match_SJ_SAR =91–72

|match_SJ_VAL =97–64

|match_SAR_MUN=75–66

|match_SAR_NE =92–99

|match_SAR_SJ =72–91

|match_SAR_VAL=73–77

|match_VAL_MUN=76–72

|match_VAL_NE =77–100

|match_VAL_SJ =64–97

|match_VAL_SAR=77–73

|show_limit =

|class_rules = 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.

|res_col_header=Q

|result1=PO |result2=PO

|col_PO=green1 |text_PO=Playoffs

|status_pos=before

|status_text_O=Eliminated from playoff contention

|status_text_X=Clinched playoffs

}}

{{#invoke:Sports table|main|style=WL

|ranking_style=wins |for_against_style=points |show_matches=true

|update = complete |source = [https://mpbl.web.geniussports.com/competitions/?WHurl=%2Fcompetition%2F31537%2Fschedule%3F Schedule – via Genius Sports]

|name_BUL=Bulacan Kuyas

|name_GS =GenSan Warriors

|name_IMS=Imus Buracai de Laiya

|name_MNL=Manila Stars

|name_MDR=Mindoro EOG Burlington

|name_RZL=Rizal Emkai Xentromall

|team1=IMS

|team2=MDR

|team3=MNL

|team4=BUL

|team5=RZL

|team6=GS

|win_BUL=2 |loss_BUL=3 |pf_BUL=404 |pa_BUL=412

|win_GS =1 |loss_GS =4 |pf_GS =360 |pa_GS =391

|win_IMS=4 |loss_IMS=1 |pf_IMS=393 |pa_IMS=363

|win_MNL=3 |loss_MNL=2 |pf_MNL=413 |pa_MNL=379

|win_MDR=4 |loss_MDR=1 |pf_MDR=402 |pa_MDR=382

|win_RZL=1 |loss_RZL=4 |pf_RZL=373 |pa_RZL=418

|hth_IMS=Imus wins tiebreaker over Mindoro by head-to-head victory.

|hth_MDR=IMS

|hth_RZL=Rizal wins tiebreaker over General Santos by head-to-head victory.

|hth_GS =RZL

|match_BUL_GS =82–90

|match_BUL_IMS=65–75

|match_BUL_MNL=98–89

|match_BUL_MDR=72–79

|match_BUL_RZL=87–79

|match_GS_BUL =90–82

|match_GS_IMS =66–74

|match_GS_MNL =65–75

|match_GS_MDR =73–87

|match_GS_RZL =66–73

|match_IMS_BUL=75–65

|match_IMS_GS =74–66

|match_IMS_MNL=77–83

|match_IMS_MDR=77–70

|match_IMS_RZL=90–79

|match_MNL_BUL=89–98

|match_MNL_GS =75–65

|match_MNL_IMS=83–77

|match_MNL_MDR=77–80

|match_MNL_RZL=89–59

|match_MDR_BUL=79–72

|match_MDR_GS =87–73

|match_MDR_IMS=70–77

|match_MDR_MNL=80–77

|match_MDR_RZL=86–83

|match_RZL_BUL=79–87

|match_RZL_GS =73–66

|match_RZL_IMS=79–90

|match_RZL_MNL=59–89

|match_RZL_MDR=83–86

|show_limit =

|class_rules = 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.

|res_col_header=Q

|result1=PO |result2=PO

|col_PO=green1 |text_PO=Playoffs

|status_pos=before

|status_text_O=Eliminated from playoff contention

|status_text_X=Clinched playoffs

}}

{{8TeamBracket

| boldwinner = high

| RD1 = Quarterfinals

| RD2 = Semifinals

| RD3 = Finals

| RD3b = Battle for Third

| RD1-seed1 = A1

| RD1-team1 = Pasig

| RD1-score1 = 70

| RD1-seed2 = C2

| RD1-team2 = San Juan

| RD1-score2 = 66

| RD1-seed3 = B1

| RD1-team3 = Basilan

| RD1-score3 = 77

| RD1-seed4 = D2

| RD1-team4 = Mindoro

| RD1-score4 = 72

| RD1-seed5 = C1

| RD1-team5 = Nueva Ecija

| RD1-score5 = 80

| RD1-seed6 = A2

| RD1-team6 = Iloilo

| RD1-score6 = 67

| RD1-seed7 = D1

| RD1-team7 = Imus

| RD1-score7 = 74

| RD1-seed8 = B2

| RD1-team8 = Bicol

| RD1-score8 = 57

| RD2-seed1 = A1

| RD2-team1 = Pasig

| RD2-score1 = 72

| RD2-seed2 = B1

| RD2-team2 = Basilan

| RD2-score2 = 77

| RD2-seed3 = C1

| RD2-team3 = Nueva Ecija

| RD2-score3 = 82

| RD2-seed4 = D1

| RD2-team4 = Imus

| RD2-score4 = 76

| RD3-seed1 = B1

| RD3-team1 = Basilan

| RD3-score1 = 83*

| RD3-seed2 = C1

| RD3-team2 = Nueva Ecija

| RD3-score2 = 80

| RD3b-seed1 = A1

| RD3b-team1 = Pasig

| RD3b-score1 = 100

| RD3b-seed2 = D1

| RD3b-team2 = Imus

| RD3b-score2 = 80

}}

(*) denotes number of overtime periods

{{basketballbox

| bg = #eee

| date = December 21

| time = 2:30 pm

| report = [https://fibalivestats.dcd.shared.geniussports.com/u/MPBL/2029230/ Box score]

| teamA = Pasig Sta. Lucia Realtors

| scoreA = 70

| teamB = San Juan Knights

| scoreB = 66

| overtime =

| Q1 = 17–20

| Q2 = 23–19

| Q3 = 14–15

| Q4 = 16–12

| OT =

| points1 = Jerald Bautista 12

| rebounds1 = Justin Arana 11

| assist1 = Rudy Lingganay, Jeric Teng 3

| otherstat1 =

| points2 = John Michael Calma 13

| rebounds2 = Jhonard Clarito 13

| assist2 = Orlan Wamar Jr. 4

| otherstat2 =

| duration =

| place = SM Mall of Asia Arena, Pasay

| attendance =

| referee =

| TV = IBC

| series =

}}

{{basketballbox

| bg =

| date = December 21

| time = 5:00 pm

| report = [https://fibalivestats.dcd.shared.geniussports.com/u/MPBL/2029231/ Box score]

| teamA = Basilan Jumbo Plastic

| scoreA = 77

| teamB = Mindoro EOG Burlington

| scoreB = 72

| overtime =

| Q1 = 17–16

| Q2 = 19–15

| Q3 = 26–17

| Q4 = 15–24

| OT =

| points1 = Jeric Encho Serrano 22

| rebounds1 = JR Taganas 12

| assist1 = Philip Manalang 7

| otherstat1 =

| points2 = Nathaniel Cosejo 22

| rebounds2 = Nathaniel Cosejo 11

| assist2 = Ryusei Koga 7

| otherstat2 =

| duration =

| place = SM Mall of Asia Arena, Pasay

| attendance =

| referee =

| TV = IBC

| series =

}}

{{basketballbox

| bg = #eee

| date = December 21

| time = 7:30 pm

| report = [https://fibalivestats.dcd.shared.geniussports.com/u/MPBL/2029233/ Box score]

| teamA = Imus Buracai de Laiya

| scoreA = 74

| teamB = Bicol Volcanoes

| scoreB = 57

| overtime =

| Q1 = 21–19

| Q2 = 17–18

| Q3 = 18–14

| Q4 = 18–6

| OT =

| points1 = Leo Najorda 23

| rebounds1 = Jhaymo Eguilos 15

| assist1 = Christian Ian Melencio 6

| otherstat1 =

| points2 = Zachary Huang 12

| rebounds2 = Zachary Huang, Mark Yee 7

| assist2 = Mac Tallo, Jayvee Marcelino 3

| otherstat2 =

| duration =

| place = SM Mall of Asia Arena, Pasay

| attendance =

| referee =

| TV = IBC

| series =

}}

{{basketballbox

| bg =

| date = December 21

| time = 10:00 pm

| report = [https://fibalivestats.dcd.shared.geniussports.com/u/MPBL/2029232/ Box score]

| teamA = Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards

| scoreA = 84

| teamB = Iloilo United Royals

| scoreB = 67

| overtime =

| Q1 = 20–16

| Q2 = 23–16

| Q3 = 27–24

| Q4 = 14–11

| OT =

| points1 = Michael Mabulac 17

| rebounds1 = Michael Mabulac 11

| assist1 = Christopher Bitoon 9

| otherstat1 =

| points2 = Levi Hernandez 26

| rebounds2 = Jayson David 7

| assist2 = Aaron Jeruta 6

| otherstat2 =

| duration =

| place = SM Mall of Asia Arena, Pasay

| attendance =

| referee =

| TV = IBC

| series =

}}

{{basketballbox

| bg = #eee

| date = December 22

| time = 7:30 pm

| report = [https://fibalivestats.dcd.shared.geniussports.com/u/MPBL/2031127/ Box score]

| teamA = Pasig Sta. Lucia Realtors

| scoreA = 72

| teamB = Basilan Jumbo Plastic

| scoreB = 77

| overtime =

| Q1 = 16–24

| Q2 = 19–25

| Q3 = 18–16

| Q4 = 19–12

| OT =

| points1 = Fran Yu 22

| rebounds1 = Cedric Ablaza 9

| assist1 = Fran Yu 4

| otherstat1 =

| points2 = Michael Juico 23

| rebounds2 = JR Taganas 10

| assist2 = Philip Manalang 8

| otherstat2 =

| duration =

| place = SM Mall of Asia Arena, Pasay

| attendance =

| referee =

| TV = IBC

| series =

}}

{{basketballbox

| bg =

| date = December 22

| time = 10:00 pm

| report = [https://fibalivestats.dcd.shared.geniussports.com/u/MPBL/2031132/ Box score]

| teamA = Imus Buracai de Laiya

| scoreA = 76

| teamB = Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards

| scoreB = 82

| overtime =

| Q1 = 16–18

| Q2 = 19–19

| Q3 = 18–16

| Q4 = 23–29

| OT =

| points1 = Leo Najorda 24

| rebounds1 = Jhaymo Eguilos 9

| assist1 = Christian Ian Melencio 3

| otherstat1 =

| points2 = Michael Mabulac 17

| rebounds2 = Michael Mabulac 15

| assist2 = Justin Gutang, Michael Mabulac 5

| otherstat2 =

| duration =

| place = SM Mall of Asia Arena, Pasay

| attendance =

| referee =

| TV = IBC

| series =

}}

{{basketballbox

| bg = #eee

| date = December 23

| time = 1:00 pm

| report = [https://fibalivestats.dcd.shared.geniussports.com/u/MPBL/2031687/ Box score]

| teamA = Pasig Sta. Lucia Realtors

| scoreA = 100

| teamB = Imus Buracai de Laiya

| scoreB = 80

| overtime =

| Q1 = 23–19

| Q2 = 30–22

| Q3 = 24–15

| Q4 = 23–24

| OT =

| points1 = Jeckster Apinan 16

| rebounds1 = Jeckster Apinan 9

| assist1 = Jeric Teng 5

| otherstat1 =

| points2 = Genmar Bragais 23

| rebounds2 = Genmar Bragais, Christian Ian Melencio 6

| assist2 = Jhaymo Eguilos, Christian Ian Melencio 4

| otherstat2 =

| duration =

| place = SM Mall of Asia Arena, Pasay

| attendance =

| referee =

| TV = IBC

| series =

}}

{{basketballbox

| bg = #F7F6A8

| date = December 23

| time = 8:30 pm

| report = [https://fibalivestats.dcd.shared.geniussports.com/u/MPBL/2031688/ Box score]

| teamA = Basilan Jumbo Plastic

| scoreA = 83

| teamB = Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards

| scoreB = 80

| overtime = OT

| Q1 = 17–20

| Q2 = 18–16

| Q3 = 18–16

| Q4 = 21–22

| OT = 9–6

| points1 = Four players 15

| rebounds1 = JR Taganas 17

| assist1 = Jay Collado 7

| otherstat1 =

| points2 = Michael Mabulac 24

| rebounds2 = Michael Mabulac 11

| assist2 = Diego Dario 5

| otherstat2 =

| duration =

| place = SM Mall of Asia Arena, Pasay

| attendance =

| referee =

| TV = IBC

| series =

}}

In the final possession of the game, Philip Manalang would attempt a three-point shot which, if successful, Basilan would win the Invitational tournament, otherwise the game would go into double overtime. The shot ended up being successful, giving Basilan the lead as they won the 2021 MPBL Invitational. For his championship-winning buzzer beater, Manalang was declared the Finals MVP of the tournament.

The individual league awards was given during the Semifinals of the 2021 MPBL Invitational at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.{{Cite news |last=Leongson |first=Randolph B. |url=https://www.spin.ph/basketball/michael-mabulac-is-named-mpbl-invitational-mvp-a2437-20211222?ref=feed_1_section |title=Michael Mabulac is named MPBL Invitational MVP |date=December 22, 2021 |website=Sports Interactive Network |access-date=December 22, 2021}} The Finals Most Valuable Player was given out after the final game.

While the league was looking for a new broadcast partner as a result of the shutdown of ABS-CBN broadcasting, the television broadcast rights for the inaugural Preseason Invitational were handled by the Intercontinental Broadcasting Corporation (IBC). The streaming rights went to TAP Digital Media Ventures Corporation, which streamed the games on its TAP Go service.{{cite web |title=TAP GO |url=https://www.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=3037085976542513&id=2349814858602965 |website=Facebook |accessdate=11 December 2021 }} The league continued to broadcast all of the games online on its Facebook page.{{cite news |last1=Terrado |first1=Reuben |title=Where to watch the MPBL Invitational games |url=https://www.spin.ph/life/guide/where-to-watch-the-mpbl-invitational-games-television-livestreaming-a795-20211202 |access-date=10 December 2021 |work=Sports Interactive Network Philippines |date=2 December 2021 |language=en}}

{{Reflist}}

{{MPBL Preseason Invitational}}

{{2022 MPBL season by team}}

2021

Invitational