The 2019 MPBL playoffs, also known as the MPBL Datu Cup playoffs, was the postseason tournament of the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League's 2018–19 season, the league's second overall, and the first under the 16-team playoff format. The postseason tournament began on March 12,[1] day after the end of regular season on March 11, 2019, and ended at the conclusion of the 2019 MPBL finals.[2] The 2019 MPBL finals saw the Davao Occidental Tigers battled San Juan Knights for the national championship, with the Knights winning in five games, 3 games to 2.
Overview
The Bataan Risers entered the playoffs for the second consecutive season, and clinched the best record in the league for the first time in team history.
The Davao Occidental Tigers entered the playoffs for the first time, and clinched the best record in the South Division for the first time in team history.
Due to the league's expansion, the playoff was expanded to feature sixteen teams instead of eight. The top eight teams from each division advanced to the playoffs. Seeding was based on winning percentage, with tiebreaker rules applied should multiple teams have the same record. The single-elimination bracket consists of four rounds with no reseeding. The first three rounds were best-of-three series and the national finals was a best-of-five series.
During the first two rounds, two games within the same division were played in a gameday, with homecourt advantage alternating between the higher-seeded teams of each series. A traditional homecourt format was then used for the last two rounds, with the division finals using a 1-1-1 format and the national finals using a 2-2-1 format. The designated home team may not be able to play within its home locality. Should it occur, the gameday may take place elsewhere.
Teams in bold advanced to the next round. The numbers to the left of each team indicate the team's seeding in its division, and the numbers to the right indicate the number of games the team won in that round. Teams with home court advantage, the higher seeded team, are shown in italics.
Pts: Ryusei Koga 19 Rebs: Dhon Reverente 8 Asts: Allan Mangahas 17
Pts: Robin Roño 22 Rebs: Robin Roño 8 Asts:Arboleda 6
Batangas City Coliseum, Batangas City Referees: Pablo Bracero, Mark Rancudo, Benjie Estroga
Allan Mangahas who earned 17 assists in the game, broke the previous record of 15 assists previously held jointly by Mikee Reyes and Bobby Ray Parks Jr. to become the league's newest record holder for most assists made in a single game.[3]
MPBL finals: (S1) Davao Occidental Tigers vs. (N3) San Juan Knights
The San Juan Knights and the Davao Occidental Tigers will battle for the national championship to become the first ever Datu Cup Champion and the second MPBL Champions.
