The Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League Season 7 is about to kick off on March 8, 2025. But, before that, let’s take a quick look at the ten players you need to keep an eye on this season.
10. Marc Pingris
The Pinoy Sakuragi still has a lot of gas left in his tank even at 43 years old. At his age, Pingris still plays with a lot of passion and intensity on the court.
His love to the game mixed with his tremendous defense is and will always be a thing of beauty. Biñan is eager to contend again in the MPBL this season after dominating Pilipinas Super League (PSL) a while back.
9. Arwind Santos
Arwind “The Spider-Man” Santos really retired and then unretired in pro basketball just to play in the MPBL again. This time, Santos will be part of the returning Basilan Starhorse, a team that is also allegedly vying for a spot in the PBA.
We haven’t seen much of the former San Miguel Beermen legend in the past two or three years since his retirement, but we’re going to see a lot of him moving forward. The question now is: Can Arwind Santos still perform at a high level?
8. Christian Fajarito
One of the best performers during the MPBL season 6 playoffs was the former Letran standout, Christian Fajarito. Dubbed by some as the “Pinoy Jokic”, Fajarito has always been a gentle giant since his collegiate days. But, don’t get fooled by his gentle demeanor as this big man can score both outside and inside. He’s clutch, too!
Last year, he led South Cotabato to a Cinderella story after almost beating a higher-seeded Batangas in the East semifinals. What’s even more impressive is that Fajarito missed half of the season due to injuries. The 29-year-old forward was last seen playing alongside Marc Pingris in Biñan during his PSL stint.
7. Archie Concepcion
The Pampanga Giant Lanterns were filled with great talent last year. Justine Baltazar, Encho Serrano, and Kurt Reyson just to name a few. But, the obvious number two option in scoring on any given night is definitely Archie Concepcion.
Concepcion received numerous PBA offers after winning a chip with Pampanga back in December. However, it seems that he’s staying in the MPBL for now.
Concepcion is definitely a player worth watching this season, especially now that he can shine on his own.
6. Jaycee Marcelino
The Marcelino twins finally decided to move on from the Zamboanga Master Sardines, and now take their talent to a much better title contender: to Nueva Ecija.
One of the twins, Jaycee, is already considered a top 5 player in the league. As one of the best scorers and a former MVP winner, Jaycee Marcelino is the perfect boost that the Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards needed all along.
It’s going to be an all-out war in the North, with Marcelino in Nueva Ecija, Orlan Wamar Jr. in San Juan, and an emerging Abra.
5. Louell Jay Fernandez
It seems like the reigning MPBL rookie of the year is ready to put metal to the pedal again this season.
The Quezon Huskers came close to the championship trophy last year but eventually lost to the Pampanga Giant Lanterns in 3 games. But, we have to acknowledge their success and deep playoff run. Part of the reason behind their triumph is no other than LJ Gonzales.
Gonzales was deemed as one of the best, if not the best, point guard in the UAAP in his batch.
After winning the RoY award, the young star will surely make things even more interesting in his sophomore year. Just like what fans say, there’s nowhere for Quezon anymore, but up!
4. Encho Serrano
25-year-old Encho Serrano nixed his return to the PBA after agreeing to play in Abra. Well, nothing special there until you learn that he’ll be playing alongside Mark Yee, Paul Desiderio, and new high-ranked recruit, Dave Ildefonso.
Serrano, a tall point guard, has always been notable for his exceptional playmaking ability. Aside from that, he’s already a two-time MPBL champion and could potentially bring the winning mentality to Abra.
3. Vic Manuel
Former Alaska star, Vic Manuel, will be taking his physicality from the PBA to the MPBL. The league and the fans must keep an eye on Pangasinan after they bolstered their roster by adding Vic Manuel to an already tall lineup featuring Lervin Flores and Jervy Cruz.
Just last conference, the Muscle Man was still putting up great numbers after being traded to Terrafirma. However, after receiving a hefty offer from the Pangasinan Heatwaves, the veteran big man decided to play in the MPBL.
2. Dave Ildefonso
A familiar face is taking the league by storm after announcing that he’s playing for the Abra Weavers instead of signing with NorthPort Batang Pier in the PBA.
After not getting any more offers overseas, Dave Ildefonso decided to return back home, but would play anywhere not named NorthPort. The story behind this needs to be talked about in a different discussion.
Anyway, Ildefonso is a great athlete, and it wouldn’t be surprising if he dominates a league like this one. Abra already had a great roster at this point, but they just got even better. Have they already emerged as the new title favorites?
1. Greg Slaughter
Cebu’s team is returning to the MPBL, and so is Greg Slaughter.
Slaughter is already at the back end of his career, but it was evident that he could still dominate a league much like the MPBL.
Last season, he led Manila to the playoffs but fell short after he got suspended in the quarterfinals. At 7 feet, Gregzilla is still a force to reckon with. No MPBL player can match his size yet, and only a few could contain him in the post. It was not too long ago that he was playing in Japan and was making millions of Pesos. Right now, it’s still the case as he’s reportedly getting north of 1.2 million in Philippine Pesos.
It’s even better that he’ll be playing for his hometown, back to where it all started.
