The Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) feted its individual awardees for the 2023 MPBL Regular Season before the start of the second game of the National Finals last November 29, 2023 at the Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center, Pampanga.
Justine Baltazar was adjudged as the 2023 MPBL Most Valuable Player (MVP) after he averaged 17.4 points, 16.9 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 1.2 blocks to lead the Pampanga Giant Lanterns to the 1st seed of the North Division, and eventually to the National Finals.
MPBL 2023 SEASON AWARDEES
| Award | Awardee | Team |
|---|---|---|
| Season MVP | Justine Baltazar | Pampanga |
| Finals MVP | TBA | TBA |
| Rookie OTY | Adrian Nocum | San Juan |
| Defensive OTY | Jason Ballesteros | Pasig |
| Homegrown OTY | Crhis Masaglang | Gensan |
| Sportsmanship Award | Shaq Taganas | Nueva Ecija |
| Impact Player OTY | Poypoy Actub | Imus |
| Executive OTY | Goody Ilagan | Bataan |
JUSTINE BALTAZAR IS 2023 MPBL MVP
Justine Baltazar is the consensus MVP after dominating the league with multiple double-doubles. The imposing 6'8 big man is arguably the most dominant player to ever play in the MPBL.
Along with Encho Serrano, Justine Baltazar carried the Pampanga Giant Lanterns to a league-best 26-2 record in the elimination round. They remain undefeated in the playoffs and are just one win away from the national title as of this writing.
ADRIAN NOCUM IS 2023 MPBL ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
Adrian Nocum proved that he is one of the best young prospects in the MPBL. He skipped his final playing year with Mapua in the NCAA to play professional basketball with the San Juan Knights in the MPBL.
His decision proved to be a wise one. In 33 games that he played for the Knights, he averaged 11.8 points, six (6) rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.6 steals, mostly as a starter.
His performance in the MPBL impressed PBA scouts, so much so that he was drafted and signed by the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters to a two-year contract. He is currently playing in the PBA as of this writing.
JASON BALLESTEROS IS 2023 MPBL DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Jason Ballesteros is Pasig City's main man inside the paint. Standing at 6'6, Ballesteros patrols the paint for the Pasig City MCW Sports.
His impact is definitely felt by his team considering that he averages 1.5 blocks per game. He is likewise an asset on the rebounding department as he recorded an average of 9.9 rebounds per game, 3.9 of which are from the offensive glass.
He also contributes in scoring with his own average of 4.3 points per game. While not that much, his intimidating presence inside the paint is enough for the distract the opponents.
CHRIS MASAGLANG IS THE 2023 MPBL HOMEGROWN PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Christopher Masaglang is finally being recognized. In the past seasons, he has been a consistent mid-range threat for his hometown team General Santos Warriors. He mostly came off the bench for the Warriors this season but he provided productive minutes for the Warriors.
He dropped an average of 6 points at an efficient clip of 50.9% field goal percentage. In addition, he grabs 3.5 boards a game, dish out 2.3 dimes a game and forces 1.6 steals per night.
POYPOY ACTUB IS 2023 MPBL IMPACT PLAYER OF THE YEAR
The MPBL introduced a new award this season- Impact Player of the Year. This award was given to Poypoy Actub as a recognition to his impact for the Imus SV Squad and to the league.
Who could forget the historic night when he put on a show with seven (7) dunks in a game, the most in the history of the MPBL. In only 10.4 minutes of playing time, Actub was able to produce 5.8 points per game, 2.5 rebounds per match.
2023 MPBL SEASON MYTHICAL FIVE
Justine Baltazar of the Pampanga Giant Lanterns, Jhan Nermal of the Bacoor City Strikers, Will Mcaloney of the Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards, Jaycee Marcelino of the Zamboanga Family's Brand Sardines and Orlan Wamar of the San Juan Knights are the members of the 2023 MPBL Mythical Five.
Meanwhile, the All-MPBL 2nd Team is composed of Rob Celiz of the Makati OKBet Kings, Jeckster Apinan of the Batangas City Embassy Chill, James Kwekuteye of the Bacoor City Strikers, Archie Concepcion of the Pampanga Giant Lanterns and Ryan Costelo of the Pasig City MCW Sports.