The Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) Season 8 is already heating up, but before the campaign officially starts in April, let’s take a closer look at the top 5 championship contenders this year.
5. Basilan Steel
After a season full of mishaps, failures, and controversies—including unpaid salaries and Arwind Santos’ indefinite ban from the league—Basilan is looking to start anew with a revamped squad featuring former PBA stars and a young but unsigned PBA talent.
Previously known as Basilan Starhorse, the team will lean into its roots as the resurging Basilan Steel for Season 8. Joining the crew is PBA champion and Alaska Aces legend Jvee Casio, who still believes he’s got more left in the tank even at 39 years old.
Basilan also signed a young point guard in Gjerard Wilson, who was drafted in the sixth round during last year’s PBA Draft but went unsigned by Blackwater.
Various reports also suggest that former MPBL Most Valuable Player John Wilson, a mainstay from the temporarily dissolved Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards, will be taking his act to Basilan. Joining the team as well are ex-PBA stars Jervy Cruz, Rabeh Al-Hussaini, and Alex Cabagnot.
4. Quezon Huskers
If there’s a Southern team ready to lock and load against any team in the MPBL, it’s the Quezon Huskers.
The Huskers went to 2 straight Finals but fell both times, first against Pampanga and then Abra. However, with a solid team filled with experienced veterans and the addition of prized rookie Cedrick Manzano, we might just see their return to the big stage this season.
The 22-year-old, 6-foot-5 big man from Adamson University will be a pivotal piece for Quezon, which will try to bid for its first MPBL title. Evidence of that is Manzano’s strong performance in the preseason invitational, highlighted by 16 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 steals in just 13 minutes against Marikina.
3. San Juan Knights
Had it not been for Justine Baltazar and the Pampanga Giant Lanterns, the 2023 and 2024 championships might have gone to the San Juan Knights.
The team’s mainstays? Veteran Michael Calisaan, shooting guard Orlan Wamar Jr., and PBA legend Reynel Hugnatan.
This season, they’re looking to reclaim the throne they once held in 2019 after adding more firepower to their roster. San Juan bolstered its chances at another title in Season 8 by recruiting young college standouts like Harold Alarcon, Terrence Fortea, and Reyland Torres. Both Fortea and Torres have been fun to watch in the preseason so far and look like they’re going to be a great help for the Knights.
2. Caloocan Batang Kankaloo
The Caloocan Batang Kankaloo probably won’t have to deal with being the 11th seed in the league despite winning 20 games this season, with a new-look roster filled with some of the most talented collegiate players from last season.
Last month, La Salle University standout Kean Baclaan decided to turn pro by joining Caloocan, the same team he represented in the Junior MPBL, where he casually dropped 50 points in one game. Though he’s still fresh from an injury, Baclaan might become the team’s new captain.
Alongside Baclaan, Dom Escobar and one-and-done college prospect Kymani Ladi are also suiting up for Batang Kankaloo. Escobar and Ladi were teammates at Ateneo.
In his lone season with the Blue Eagles, Ladi averaged 14 points and 7 rebounds per game.
1. Abra Solid North Weavers
Of course, this year’s title favorites are none other than the reigning champions—the Abra Weavers.
Dave Ildefonso, the defending league MVP, has decided to run it back with the team alongside 3-time champion Encho Serrano.
But Abra was not finished. They added 6-foot-8 big man Drex Delos Reyes, who’s been a reliable player for the Weavers in the preseason.
Not only that, but Abra’s backers are also reportedly willing to sign more college prospects looking to turn pro instead of getting old and washed-up PBA players. They lost only 1 game last season, and they’re undefeated in this year’s preseason so far.
With management not scared to reload, it won’t be a surprise if the Weavers weave another magical MPBL season.
