Last update: 18 February 2023 12:00 pm
The Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) will open its brand-new season on March 10, 2023. The league has not yet announce the teams who confirmed participation but several clubs had already published in their respective Facebook pages the new players that they recruited to beef up their roster.
NUEVA ECIJA RICE VANGUARDS
The Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards retained almost all of its core players. With the exception of Hesed Gabo who is rumored to play for the NLEX Road Warriors in the PBA, the Rice Vanguards re-signed Byron Villarias, Philip Manalang, Jonathan Uyloan, Bobby Balucanag, Renz Palma, Jessie Collado, Michael Mabulac, Pamboy Raymundo, Michael Juico, JP Sarao, Chris Bitoon, Clark Derige, Shaq Taganas, Will Mcaloney, Stephen Siruma and John Arenas.
The newest player so far for the Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards is Harvey Pagsanjan who skipped his final playing year in the UAAP with the UE Red Warriors to play for his hometown Nueva Ecija in the MPBL. Harvey Pagsanjan average 5.08 points and 4.08 rebounds per game in his last year with the red warriors.
2023 MPBL PLAYER TRANSFERS AND SIGNING
| Name | From | To |
|---|---|---|
| Jeric Diego | Rookie | Valenzuela |
| Brian Lacap | Rookie | Valenzuela |
| Joe Joven | Rookie | Iloilo |
| Marvin Lee | Manila | Iloilo |
| Cyrus Tabi | Zamboanga | Zamboanga |
| Joshua Fontanilla | Manila | N. Ecija |
| Frederick Pasturan | Rookie | Bacoor |
| Ryan Arambulo | Iloilo | |
| Jerie Pingoy | Gensan | Iloilo |
| Ken Holmqvist | Rookie | Negros |
| Jhon Rey Sumido | Rookie | Iloilo |
| Ralf Olivarez | Batangas | Iloilo |
| Mon Mabayo | Zamboanga | Iloilo |
| Chad Alonzo | Bacoor | Muntinlupa |
| AJ Madrigal | Rookie | Quezon |
| Jhapz Bautista | Zamboanga | Zamboanga |
| Jayvee Marcelino | Zamboanga | Zamboanga |
| Jaycee Marcelino | Zamboanga | Zamboanga |
| Ian Melencio | Bacoor | Muntinlupa |
| Paolo Castro | Bacoor | Bacoor |
| Jamil Ortuoste | Muntinlupa | Muntinlupa |
| Rocky Acidre | Bacoor | Bacoor |
| Kraniel Viloria | Bacolod | Bacoor |
| Mark Montuano | Bacoor | Bacoor |
| Decoy Lopez | Zamboanga | Bacoor |
| Rich Guinitiran | Rookie | N. Ecija |
| Lester Reyes | San Juan | Bacoor |
| Yvan Ludovice | Sarangani | Bacoor |
| RJ Ramirez | Bacoor | Negros |
| Ry Dela Rosa | Rookie | Rizal |
| Kristian Bernardo | Rookie | Rizal |
| Franz Abuda | Rookie | Rizal |
| Rayzon Celestino | Rookie | Zamboanga |
| Chino Mosqueda | Zamboanga | Muntinlupa |
| Edrian Lao | Bacolod | Negros |
| Jason Melano | Pasig | Negros |
| Bill Geolingo | Rookie | Negros |
| Paolo Javelona | Negros | |
| Ritcer Santillan | Rookie | Negros |
| Pio Longa | Rookie | Negros |
| Richard Albo | Bacolod | Negros |
| Mark Maloles | Bacolod | Negros |
| Lugie Cuyos | Rookie | Negros |
| Jonathan Gantalao Jr | Rookie | Negros |
| Hesed Gabo | Nueva Ecija | NLEX (PBA) |
| Dave Moralde | Bacoor | Muntinlupa |
| Alwin Alday | Bacolod | Bacoor |
| Jayboy Solis | Bacolod | Bacoor |
| Mark Yee | Bacolod | Bacoor |
| Cederick Labing-isa | Sarangani | |
| Carlo Escalambre | PBA 3x3 | Sarangani |
| King Rodney Fuentes | Caloocan | Rizal |
| Art Patrick Aquino | San Juan | Rizal |
| Jerick Pido | Rookie | Rizal |
| Jonas Tibayan | Rookie | Rizal |
| Christian Fajarito | Gensan | Gensan |
| Nico Elorde | Gensan | Gensan |
| Dexter Maiquez | San Juan | Zamboanga |
| Felix Apreku | Valenzuela | Gensan |
| Enzo Joson | Marikina | Gensan |
GENERAL SANTOS WARRIORS
The General Santos Warriors announced key acquisitions for this upcoming MPBL season. Perhaps the biggest signing they secured was that of Enzo Joson who is the number one scorer in the MPBL last season while playing for Marikina Shoemasters.
The General Santos Warriors re-signed its main guard, Nico Elorde. Also re-signed was Christian Fajarito who briefly played for the San Juan Knights last season. Felix Apreku is another big man signed by the General Santos Warriors.
ZAMBOANGA FAMILY'S BRAND SARDINES
The Zamboanga Family's Brand Sardines reached the MBPL National finals for the first time ever last season but they fell short against the highly favored Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards. For the upcoming season, the team is already looking for revenge as they acquired key pieces to reinforce their squad.
Zamboanga Family's Brand Sardines was able to pluck Dexter Maiquez who manned the paint for the San Juan Knights last season. With his size and shooting, Maiquez is definitely a major piece in Zamboanga's rotation moving forward. It is likewise rumored that Judel Fuentes will transfer to Zamboanga.
BACOOR CITY STRIKERS
The Bacoor City Strikers recently held a tryouts for aspiring MPBL players. So far, they only confirmed the signing of Mark Yee, Alwin Alday and Jayboy Solis to the Strikers camp.
SARANGANI MARLINS
The Sarangani Marlins was arguably the most improve team last season. From winning only one game in the Lakan Cup, the Marlins secured the third seed in the South Division but they eventually lost to the Rizal Golden Coolers.
For the upcoming season, the team revealed that Carlo Escalambre and Cederick Labing-isa will play for the Marlins.
NEGROS MUSCOVADOS
The Negros Muscovados is the newest team in the MPBL. It joined the 2021 MPBL Invitational Tournament but this is the first time that the team will participate in the full season of the MPBL.
With the goal of winning the championship trophy for Negros, the team held a tryout last January 17 and 18, 2023 and announced several players it signed. Mark Maloles, Richard Albo, Jonathan Gantalao Jr. and Lugie Cuyos will play for Negros Muscovados.