2021 MPBL Invitational
The 2021 MPBL Invitational, officially known as the Chooks-to-Go MPBL Invitational powered by TM for sponsorship reasons, was the preseason tournament for the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League's (MPBL) 2022 season, and the first tournament under the Invitational label. It commenced on December 11, 2021 and ended on December 23, 2021. 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. It was also the first professional sports event in the Philippines to allow live audiences since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in the country. The SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay was the venue used for all of the Invitational games at 50% capacity for spectators. Philip Manalang hit the championship-winning buzzer beater as the Basilan Jumbo Plastic became the 2021 Invitational champions, beating the Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards in overtime, 83-80. Philip Manalang was adjudged as the tournament Finals MVP. Format
The format for this tournament was as follows:
 All teams were divided into four groups that would play in a single round-robin format. Every team plays against the other teams in the same group once. The top two teams in each group would advance to a single elimination playoffs. All series in the playoffs are single game series; the team must win the match for them to stay and advance. The top three teams overall received 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. For the 2021 Invitational only, all roster regulations have been lifted. Entertainment 
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. Teams 
Of the 31 teams that participated in the previous season, 21 took part in the Invitational. The ten teams that opted out include: the Bataan Risers, Batangas City Athletics, Cebu Casino Ethyl Alcohol, Davao Occidental Tigers, Navotas Uni-Pak Sardines, Pampanga Giant Lanterns, Parañaque Patriots, Pasay Voyagers, Quezon City Capitals, and Zamboanga Family's Brand Sardines. In addition, the Invitational also featured the first appearance of the Negros Muscovados, bringing the total to 22 teams. Name changes 

 The Bacolod Master Sardines changed its name to All-Star Bacolod Ballers
 The Biñan City Luxxe White changed its name to Laguna Heroes Krah Asia
 The Caloocan Supremos changed its team name to Caloocan Excellence
 The Imus Bandera - Luxxe Slim changed its name to Imus Buracai de Laiya
 The Makati Super Crunch changed its name to Makati FSD Blazers
 The Marikina Shoemasters changed its name to Marikina Shoe City
 The Mindoro Tamaraws changed its name to Mindoro EOG Burlington
 The Rizal Golden Coolers changed its name to Emkai-Rizal Xentromall
 The Valenzuela Classic changed its name to Valenzuela MJAS Zenith

Draw
The draw for the group stage took place on November 26, 2021 at the Crowne Plaza in Pasig, at 3:00 p.m. PST, hosted by Mark Zambrano and Christian Luanzon. 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). Basilan, being the champion of the Pilipinas VisMin Super Cup 1st Conference, was automatically assigned to Group B as team B1. San Juan, being the runner-up of the 2019–20 season, was assigned to Group C as team C1. The remaining 20 teams were determined by drawing of lots. Group stage

Group A

Not all games are in home–away format. Each team plays every team once. Number of asterisks after each score denotes number of overtimes played. Group B

Not all games are in home–away format. Each team plays every team once. Number of asterisks after each score denotes number of overtimes played. Group C

Not all games are in home–away format. Each team plays every team once. Number of asterisks after each score denotes number of overtimes played. Group D

Not all games are in home–away format. Each team plays every team once. Number of asterisks after each score denotes number of overtimes played. Playoffs

Bracket

Quarterfinals

Semifinals

Third place game

Finals

Statistics

Individual statistical leaders

Team statistical leaders

Awards 
The individual league awards was given during the Semifinals of the 2021 MPBL Invitational at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay. Media coverage
IBC acquired the broadcast rights for the Invitational. On the other hand, TAP DMV served as the league's streaming partner, airing games on its streaming service, TAP Go. The league continued to broadcast all of the games on its Facebook page. References

2021 in Philippine basketball