Championship series of the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League's 2022 season
The 2022 MPBL finals was the championship series of the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League's (MPBL) 2022 season and the conclusion of the season's playoffs. In the best-of-five playoff, the North Division champion Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards defeated the South Division champion Zamboanga Family's Brand Sardines, as they won the league's fourth championship. Byron Villarias named as the season's Finals MVP.
First-seeded Nueva Ecija (21–0) held homecourt advantage for the series, having a better record than Zamboanga (18–3). This marks the first finals appearance for both teams.
This was the first finals series in which neither team is based in Metro Manila.
Background.
Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards.
The Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards finished the 2021 MPBL Invitational as runner-up after being defeated by the Basilan Peace Riders on a championship-winning basket in overtime. They finished the regular season with a 21–0 win–loss record, making them the first team to go undefeated in the regular season. Because of this, the Rice Vanguards were able to clinch the first seed overall and homecourt advantage throughout the playoffs. In the first two rounds of the playoffs, The Rice Vanguards easily won against the Marikina Shoemasters and the Pampanga Giant Lanterns both in two games each. In the Northern Division finals, they met the 2021 season runner-up San Juan Knights, battling for the Northern Division title. In Game 1, the Rice Vanguards was defeated by the Knights for the first time this season, but they managed to win the next two games, bringing the Rice Vanguards to their first North Division title and first finals appearance.
Zamboanga Family's Brand Sardines.
The Zamboanga Family's Brand Sardines ended their regular season with 18–3 win–loss record to become the top seed in the South Division and clinch homecourt advantage for the division playoffs. They easily defeated the Muntinlupa Cagers in the first round and then forced a Game 3 against the Bacolod Bingo Plus in the division semifinals. In the division finals, they faced the 2018 MPBL champion Batangas City Embassy Chill, where they lost the first game, but forced Game 3 and won, to claim the South Division title and bring Zamboanga to their first finals appearance.
Broadcast notes.
This marked the first year of Cignal TV's rights to the MPBL finals. The series was broadcast on One PH and One Sports+ on television, and was also streamed via Facebook, YouTube, and Kumu.
Prizes.
This season featured a new design for the championship trophy, steering away from a design modelled after the National Basketball Association's (NBA) Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy. Alongside the trophy, rings were given to the players of the championship-winning team.
The MPBL Finals Most Valuable Player award and Coach of the Year awards are also given out during the trophy ceremony.
References.
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